ADDED RESPONSIBILITY: Sarfraz has also been given the task of a reserve opener for the mega event — a role which has been assigned to him previously as well. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan’s in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed is looking to give a solid all-round performance in the upcoming World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand.
The 27-year-old has been a feather in the cap for the country in 2014, scoring 743 runs in nine Tests with an average of 67.54; his knocks also included three centuries and four fifties.
In doing so, he ended the year as the leading run-scorer among the world’s wicketkeeper-batsmen in Tests and also became the first Pakistani keeper to score three tons in a calendar year.
He carried the same form into the T20 format, scoring an unbeaten 76 against New Zealand and collecting the man-of-the-match award and also played several cameos in the five-match ODI series against the Kiwis, which Pakistan lost 3-2.
Fired with hope, Sarfraz is looking to carry the same form into the World Cup. “The goal is to deliver my best both with both the gloves and bat which can allow the team to excel at the mega event,” said Sarfraz while speaking to reporters during the second day training camp in Lahore.
“Every player in the team wants to win the World Cup and we’re preparing ourselves in the best way possible for the competition.”
When asked how he would face the alien conditions of New Zealand and Australia, which would be different from that of the UAE, the player said they were currently working on that at the camp.
“The idea is to practice on seaming and bouncy pitches which have been prepared for the camp. Unfortunately it rained today, but we still continued our preparations indoors.”
Sarfraz has also been given the task of a reserve opener for the mega event — a role which has been assigned to him previously as well.
Haris Sohail high in confidence
Haris Sohail, another rising star, said he is looking forward to perform well as an all-rounder and to accomplish that, he has doubled his training.
“I am looking to fulfill the role of an all-rounder in Australia and New Zealand and I don’t think there will be any problem for me,” said Haris. “I’ve proved myself in that role in previous series against New Zealand.
“My confidence is really high for the World Cup because of the amount of backing I’m getting from the team management. The senior players have already warned us of the extra bounce and seam movement there and we’re preparing accordingly.”
Date for current contracts extended
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended the central contracts offered last year to March 31, meaning they will hold merit till the World Cup while their renewal will take place starting April 1.
After due deliberations between the The Central Contracts Committee – headed by Director Cricket Operations (International) Zakir Khan, Director Game Development Haroon Rasheed, national selection committee chairman Moin Khan and head coach Waqar Younis – it was decided to extend the existing contracts.
In addition to the 31 players, two team members of the 15-man World Cup squad, Yasir Shah and Sohail Khan, have also been awarded central contracts in Category ‘D’ from January 1-March 31.
The term of the previous contracts expired on December 31, 2014.
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