ISLAMABAD: While lauding the Pakistan Cric­ket Board’s move of appointing Saud Shakeel as vice-captain of the Test squad, veteran wicket-keeper/batter Sarfraz Ahmed says giving impressive performers of the domestic circuit and Pakistan Shaheens cha­nces in the national team is a good step for the future.

“First of all, congratulations to Saud. To be vice-captain of the national team is a huge honour. It’s a commendable initiative by the cricket board to groom such a junior player who has been leading at lower levels.

Saud has been captaining since the U-19 level and has led Sindh to the T20 championship title,“ Sarfraz said while talking to reporters at the Islamabad Club Cricket Oval where the Pakistan Shaheens training camp started on Wednesday.

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Left-handed Saud, who made his Test debut against England at Rawalpindi in December 2022, has played under Sarfraz’s leadership in club games and other formats. Boasting a fine batting average of 60.43 in 10 Tests, the 28-year-old was handed the Test vice-captaincy, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi, by the PCB on Wednesday as Pakistan announced a 17-member squad for the forthcoming home two-Test series against Bangladesh.

Sarfraz, 37, welcomed the PCB move of promoting talented young cricketers of the domestic set-up.

“It’s a positive initiative that domestic performers and Pakistan Shaheens are getting opportunities. Some players have already made their place, and we hope that more will get their chance in the future. It’s a good sign that domestic performers are being valued and becoming part of Pakistan’s [senior] team,” the 54-Test player underlined while answering a question.

The experienced player urged the budding players, who got the chance to represent national team, to grab the opportunity with both hands.

“Anyone who gets an opportunity in Pakistan [team] should make the most of it. The team needs players to be ready to play wherever required, whether it’s as an opener or in the lower order,” Sarfraz, who played 117 ODIs and 61 T20 Internationals, added.

Responding to a query regarding his batting position, Sarfraz said, “… we try to bat where the team management wants us to. My personal priority has always been to play in the position that suits the batsman.”

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2024