Rashid Latif: Silence is a good strategy for Sarfraz

Former skipper believes that exclusion of the wicket-keeper should be explained by PCB

ISLAMABAD: Former skipper Rashid Latif has said that the silence of wicket-keeper batsman, Sarfraz Ahmed, is his main strength and his approach to keep quiet on management's decisions is the best strategy.

"I think it is better for him to keep quiet. It is his success indeed," he said in his post-T20 match analysis on late Thursday.

Sarfraz, who is vice-captain of the national team in the shortest format of the game, was not among playing eleven against Sri Lanka in the first T20, although he played a key role in Pakistan's win against them in the recently concluded test and ODI series.

"I think he (Sarfraz) was given rest so that Umar Akmal's performance could be checked. This may be the part of team planning," Latif said.

He added that Sarfaraz Ahmed's performance in tests and ODIs had been very good and he should not be out of the team.

"He has been performing consistently. In particular, he has been doing well in pressure situations and helping the team win matches."

Latif said that Pakistan Cricket Board should issue a press release to bring an end to speculations about Ahmed's exclusion from the first T20 against Sri Lanka.

He said that it was unfair to criticize head coach Waqar Younis if a player is not part of playing eleven as the final decision in this regard is taken by the captain.

He also lauded the performance of Umar Akmal and Sohail Tanveer against Sri Lanka.

"Umar Akmal is best as a T20 player. Similarly, Tanveer performs well in T20," he said, proposing that the two players should only be part of the team in shorter format of the game.

The former skipper said that the management, particularly coach should always adopt a positive attitude towards players as it encourages them and boasts their confidence.