Sarfraz is the next T20 captain: Waqar Younis
67
Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis has rubbished reports claiming that the exclusion of Sarfraz Ahmed from the two Twenty20s against Sri Lanka was part of a ‘conspiracy’ to sideline the 28-year-old wicketkeeper.
Sarfraz’s exclusion caused a stir among the cricketing circles in the country and forced Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Executive Committee chairman Najam Sethi to release a statement seeking explanation from the team management.
But Waqar, who faced a similar questions when Sarfraz was kept on the bench for the opening phase of Pakistan's 2015 World Cup campaign, refused to be drawn into any controversy and said the decision to drop a particular player was always taken with mutual agreement of the members of the touring selection committee.
“In T20 cricket, a team combination is always drawn after assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition,” Waqar told BBC Urdu in an interview.
“So, not only Sarfraz but each player who is not picked for a particular game is a given a reason for their exclusion. The player is always taken into confidence in such matters,” he added.
According to Waqar, Sarfraz remained a key player for Pakistan and earmarked him as the next T20 captain.
The 43-year-old former paceman expressed disappointment at reports suggesting that Sarfraz had been kept out of the team at the behest of the coach.
“Holding a grudge against Sarfraz or any other player would mean I am against my country,” he said, adding that people in Pakistan should focus on the team's recent achievements instead of creating controversy.
Pakistan clinched the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in a sensational last-over finish by one wicket to on Saturday, capping a successful tour where they also won the Test series 2-1 and ODIs 3-2.
Upon his return from Sri Lanka, Sarfraz, who played a vital role in the Test and ODI wins, said he had no issues with being dropped from the team.
“I have no issues if I am rested because of team requirements. I am not a part of the tour selection committee. My job is to give my best performances whenever I play and I always try to do that.”
The wicketkeeper from Karachi has played 18 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 1157 runs at an impressive average of 50.30. As an extremely reliable wicketkeeper, he has 50 dismissals to his credit.
In ODIs, he has notched up 839 runs from 49 games and has 58 dismissals.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (67) Closed
Aug 05, 2015 09:15pm
And the way to groom next T20 captain is to drop him from the team... the (silly) way to go...
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:16pm
Mr. Coach, so the tour committee decided to bench Sarfraz and you are part of it. Nation has a right to ask and you Sir, are responsible to answer ... One can easily see that you have ditched the answer (once again) and rather tried to hide behind meaningless remarks of dubbing Sarfraz as next Captain. Which team in the world would bench their future captain ??
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:26pm
Sarfraz should be captain of the ODI and T20 team
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:28pm
We might want to rest this conspiracy theory wicket keeping takes a lot out of a player it's good they rested him
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:29pm
Waqar, would you mind sharing the reasons for Sarfaraz exclusion with rest of us as well? Is his batting not good enough for T20 or his keeping or his fielding or his attitude? You drop Sarfraz at every opportunity you get in the hope that his replacement does well so that you can permanently drop Sarfraz. When there is a backlash you make excuses. Please don't think everyone is stupid.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:38pm
Actually the only one creating a controversy is Waqar and the selection committee. People have a right to question odd selection decisions and so far Waqar has not provided a satisfactory response.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:39pm
That should settle this once and for all. Sarfraz can open T20s with Shahzad but Rizwan needs to play in lower middle order with Akmal and Malik for his big hitting. Sarfraz is street smart and can lead Pakistan once Afridi is gone.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:41pm
Waqar, those who are criticizing you, are nothing but losers. Never mind and go on doing your job. At least, the person in question Sarfraz, has a head on his shoulders. I hope he doesn't gets carried away. Before the World Cup I myself was not sure about his batting capabilities but, he has proven that he is, indeed, the future of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:42pm
Sarfaraz is such a calm, composed & down to earth person. He will never expose the management. As far as Waqar is concerned, he has always been involved in the controversies so his explanation can't justify the exclusion of a vice captain. I mean why is he always the target whenever they try a different team combination. Shehzad & Hafeez play all three formats of the game as well. They can be rested. Something is wrong.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:51pm
Thank god, atleast don't have to see those rabbit teeth over shouting brothers
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 09:59pm
Unnessary contreversy
Pakistan gets defeted by itself.
Think about other keepers mental stage now who had played sarfraz place.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:09pm
So is Waqar admitting at some point(during WC) he had a grudge against Sarfraz?
Secondly if Sarfraz is ok with it why cause an issue if there is none? Besides Sarfraz seems like a cool, level headed person that can come is at stressful situations and take on many responsibilities and still excel. Vice cap+Wicketkeeper+middle order batsman.
He is an excellent player
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:10pm
All is well that ends well. The result of the match tells that the head couch's decision was right.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:12pm
Dropping Sarfraz from T20s made NO SENSE,regardless of explanations.The talk of Sarfraz earmarked as a future captain at this time is just a sugar coating.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:18pm
As he deserved to be a T20 Captain, according to his last couple of years performances with wicket keeping and batting at any given positions; his attitude reflects the style of a professionalism in the filed as well as off the field with calmness that required in a leader of any sports. I hope he continue to shine for Pakistan Cricket nation.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:23pm
So it sheer coincidence that Sarfraz was the only player benched without any proper justification in the world cup and in the recent T20. How come this did not happen to any player. We can understand the spinner being dropped is T20 c he could have been expensive. But Mr. Waqar and Mr. Afidi you have no justification whatsoever. But for the public sentiments and pressure, I bet Sarfraz ma not have even played single match in the world cup. And when he did finally he made history painting all those faces that wee conspiring against him black.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:23pm
So it sheer coincidence that Sarfraz was the only player benched without any proper justification in the world cup and in the recent T20. How come this did not happen to any player. We can understand the spinner being dropped is T20 c he could have been expensive. But Mr. Waqar and Mr. Afidi you have no justification whatsoever. But for the public sentiments and pressure, I bet Sarfraz ma not have even played single match in the world cup. And when he did finally he made history painting all those faces that wee conspiring against him black.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:29pm
I think since Mukhtar has been given a chance already, next time they will prefer Sarfraz opening with rest of the same team; it was a nice combination.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:31pm
Again so why didnt the future t20 captain of Pakistan play in the recently concluded t20 series?
I guess if it's not Waqar Younis as he claims he's not then history is repeating itself again and another "great" pathan captain is trying to ruin the career of a Karachi born player. The only difference is Shahid Afridi is nearing the end of his career whereas Imran khan rebelled against the then captain Miandad at the start of his career.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:33pm
How can waqar says that Sarfaraz will be the next T-20 captain. The captains of all three formats are selected by the chairman of PCB while the tour selection commitee picks the playing elevn on any tour.
It is very clear that Waqar suffers from a high likes and dislikes. He is simp[ly hoping that Sarfaraz fails a few times so he can drop Sarfaraz permanently from th team. But Sarfaraz has so far disappointed the coach.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:40pm
Thanks to media for questioning his biased decision and nurturing the culture of favoritism.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:41pm
Good move from Waqar, he sure is a politician future of PMLN. Now we or media will not ask that why he was not the part of T20.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:45pm
Not sure what is the logic behind benching your "next T20 Captain" Mr. Waqar..
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:48pm
What rubbish. No one could recognize this team with half newcomers playing. Yes, they should be given opportunity, but don't tell us that Sarfraz was "dropped"! There is no one better deserving in the team than Sarfraz. Drop him to rest him or to give the juniors a chance, but don't tell us that he was "dropped" for performance reasons.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 10:50pm
Afridi is threatened by Sarfraz and Waqar is just doing damage control! How on the earth you leave your best batsman/keeper from the team who is consistently performing.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:02pm
Complete and utter hogwash. Sarfraz can open the innings and is more technical and smart player than Mukhtar or Shahzad. Keeping in mind the performance displayed by openers, Sarfraz is more reliable and a great keeper who reminds me of Rashid Latif. Waqar is a shady character and trusting his judgement and decision making abilities is nothing but shortsightedness.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:14pm
When will Waqar Younis stop contradicting himself? How can he claim to be grooming 28-year old Sarfaraz to take over from retirement age Afridi and then not include Sarfaraz in the playing 11 in both T-20s?
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:24pm
W.Y
Do what you feel is good for Pakistani cricket, cricketers and the country. Ignore the rest.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:32pm
Waqar, your explanation makes no sense. You must have the courage to admit the truth.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:32pm
@KARACHI WALA - Not sure where you are coming from, but this man Waqar is a master of saying nothing in whatever he's saying. He says and I am paraphrasing, every player is assessed from the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Yet he doesn't comment specifically on why Sarfraz was not considered. With his excellent keeping and batting abilities, would he have given more strength to the opposing team or to Pakistan?
There is no scenario where a player performing as Sarfraz is, should be kept out when he's at his career peak. Really, do not understand how he doesn't fit in to the Sri Lanka that played that day, or how he marginalizes their weaknesses or bolsters their strengths.
It's better to not give any statement, than statements that do not make any sense.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:40pm
Dropping a player or two as part of strategy is a good if only it isn't a practice limited to a single player.
Recommend
0
Aug 05, 2015 11:59pm
Garbage has still to be cleaned from PCB.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:35am
Dropping a vice captain who is best performing player will always be questioned. It is unfair to treat a player this way and especially if he is delivering. We were lucky that we were playing a young Sir Lankan team
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:44am
Talk is cheap answer the question why he was rested while other were selected regardless of their performance
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:50am
Waqar Younis should have given a preemptive press conference explaining in full detail why and whose decision it was to bench Sarfaraz. The fallout from this unprofessional conduct by the PCB, Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis has been all over espncricinfo.com and widespread all over Pak media including dawn.com.
Sarfraz is a dedicated team player and if the management prefers he rest out the last T20 matches in Sri Lanka, that's fine as well since injuries can occur if players are overplayed. However, millions of Pakistan cricket fans - not only in Pakistan - in the world over deserved an explanation which was not the case via the coach/ captain.
Let's hope Coach Younis has realized, albeit the hard way that such decisions need to be shared openly with fans .. otherwise rumors turn justified or logical situations into endless mountains of criticism.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:53am
From rags to riches for Sarfraz.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:55am
The recent successful series settle all doubts that main issue with Pakistan batting was lack of consistency and defensive approach. Waqar asked for consistency back in last year and he kept a similar group and now results are coming. Not just that we now have a very potent bench as well, which means every player has to work harder to have a claim in starting XI, be it Afridi or Mukhtar. Waqar is a thorough professional, a winner and an all time top 5 player ever to grace the Green Shirt. We needed his winning mentality in Pakistan team to get back to heights they once belong to. Players like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Yousuf are only doing a disservice to Pakistan Cricket by holding personal grudge against Waqar and Pakistan team.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 01:06am
Sarfaraz Ahmed is a revelation from an understudy just a couple of years ago to a champion batsman and a keeper. Well done and no need to get into politics. If he has talent , performs and delivers then that is all that matters.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 01:21am
"Sarfraz is the next T20 captain: Waqar Younis"
First, you are not trying to find a new combination but giving more chances to an old player to settle. Second, even we agree to your logic then it mean you are trying to find a replacement of expected caption? I will have to get my head replaced before accepting your logic.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 02:06am
He is the only candidate! Good choice.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 02:16am
If winning was an objective, then 20/20 was a rousing success. It appears most critics are quite myopic, insisting on inclusion of their guy. Is it because he belongs to Karachi? Understand next time he is playing and does not perform well. It puts the guy under severe pressure . Drop a few catches you will become an outcast.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 03:10am
Like Misbah WY also lacks thinking skills! these guys cannot think of a strategy and how to use in from players! Both dudes have destroyed careers of so many players!
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 03:31am
Such a brilliant player on bench, Waqar need to give a solid reason for Sarfraz’s exclusion from the team. A vice-captain kept out of the game is unbelievable and we the people have every right to demand an explanation.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 03:37am
@KARACHI WALA: this not right what u, waqar & Afridi saying is conspiracy against Sarfarz, his future, killing his motivation, psychological, mental and emotionally, how can Vice Captain, always dropped, w/cp 2015, Bangla series, SL, why his neck is thin. Waqar or PCB should take this matter seriously, and warn coach and present captain not to repeat this horrible action.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 04:14am
Let us enjoy the impressive victories of our boys and concentrate on future games. I wish our team and the managemen good luck. Specially for Sarfraz May the force be with you sunny boy. For persons like you sky is the limit. Fly and get your team to fly with you. Sky is the limit, nothing below it.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 04:26am
@Sense Now here is a logical and simple succinct synopsis !
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 04:30am
Unfortunately, most of people including myself cannot trust the crap stories being told by team management for mistreatment of Sarfaraz both in ODIs and T20s. However, to single out Waqar for this is not correct; most of our captains have tried to ruin the careers of those who were next in line to replace them and this sense of insecurity has done unforgivable damage to our cricket.
Azhar Ali and Shahid Afridi both are wary of Sarfaraz as a player and a future leader hence trying to undermine his confidence by promoting Rizwan and keeping him out of the team . Rizwan is a wonderful find but he cannot fulfill Sarfaraz role so either he has to wait for his turn or keep one of the over hyped players like shehzad, akmal, maqsood out of the team through his batting and fielding
My ODI lineup
A. Shehzad
M.Hafeez
Azhar Ali
Haris Suhail
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Shoaib Malik
M.Rizwan/Akmal/S. Maqsood
Anwar Ali
Wahab Riaz
Yasir Shah
M.Irfan
Sub: Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali, Suhail Khan
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:00am
Sarfraz ahmed is a captain material for all formats
Not only T20
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:03am
No justification is provided by Waqar for the exclusion of Sarfraz from two T20 matches. Saying he's the next caption, does not give answer why he was not chosen to play!
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:20am
Guys lets not jump to conclusions. Waqar erred during the WC and seems to have learned his lesson. Now is the time to try and experiment things and maybe he just wanted to try giving Rizwan a fair chance at keeping since we don't have much to lose. Rizwan too must be handled carefully since he is promising. Now if he had put the tried and tested Akmal in I would have scratched my head. If Muhktar, Rizwan, Yasir and maybe one more bowler (Amir?) can progress the future looks very very promising. Lets not produce more failure like Akmal, Big Naser and Sohaib Maqsood.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:21am
I am still too busy celebrating Anwar Heriosm. I hv no time to worry abt who wasnt included. Ooh Yes and If you want to know Safaraz is my future Captain.....fron Kenyan cricket in Canada
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:23am
@Jay Did he really say that....its was unclever of him if he did...
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 06:45am
When is next? Date specific please.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 08:26am
BTW- can our coach tell us the reason that he told Sarfraz for dropping him?
What a way to prepare a future captain by watching from the sidelines... wow, lame ...
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 08:31am
WY statement is just to calm down the situation that he and Afridi have created. The Sri Lankan commentators were continuously praising the performance and ability of Sarfaraz and ours hatching conspiracies as they did in the past against all the talented players. What was the reason to bring in an aged Shoaib Malik and undisciplined Umar Akmal? Did Afridi prefer Rizwan because of some other reason?
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 08:38am
If Pakistan was going to lose this game, what would be the excuse of the coach and the captain for not including Sarfaraz in the team? Afridi who is a failure in the bowling and perform in the batting once in a blue moon should be rested permanently along with Shoaib Malik if we have any hope to play quarter finals of the world cup. Waqar is behaving like he has already won the world cup. It should not be forgot that the series won against a junior Sri Lankan team which was missing all the top names.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 08:57am
Personally feeling Serfaraz is Dhoni in Pakistan team.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 09:25am
Yes Srafraz you are the future of Pakistan cricket. You deserve this simply on merit. We wish you and Pakistan cricket team never ending success.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 11:33am
The Coach is devising such a strategic plan that the next T20 Captain shall marshall his team from the pavilion. What a stupid excuse.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 11:40am
Most outrageous remark by Afridi over axing of Sarfaraz from T-20. It was a very important game for Pakistan. And by dropping a vice captain who is in his prime form and played a key role in winning the Test and ODI series is a big blunder and no way to accept experimental issues. It is very clear that there is still a rift going on between players and management over player power. And its very obvious Sarfaraz is not in either Afridi's nor Waqar's good book and this is the main reason over his axing in T-20's. Shame just shame, these guys playing with the nations pride and dignity.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 11:42am
There is general reluctance on part of Waqar and Afridi to play Sarfraz, alteast this the impression we get.
Sarfraz being a vice Captain should always be in playing eleven some one else should be rested,or for that matter why Afridi himself is rested.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:31pm
Media Hype......
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 12:50pm
May be Waqar meant that Sarfraz in next coach of Pakistan, of course coach has to on the bench outside to watch all the players in action.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 02:02pm
If that is the case then why he was dropped from the team.
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 02:32pm
Waqar Younis is showing his true colors of selecting only his blue-eyed boys. It was senseless to drop a player like Sarfaraz from the T20s. Salams
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 02:38pm
dont Ruin another hardworker career like it was did in the past of Razzaq.
Interesting to see the strategy of Management dropping vice captain in a way to groom him as captain .
Recommend
0
Aug 06, 2015 09:28pm
@Sartaj Wonderfful assessment. Pakistan will remain at the bottom as long as this likes and dislikes continues.
Recommend
0
