Sarfraz identifies three reasons for Champions Trophy triumph
Hard work, prayers and Allah's help made it possible, says Pakistan captain
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Pakistan's Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfraz Ahmed believes his team's triumph against the odds couldn't have been possible without the "boys' hard work, the public's prayers and Allah's help."
In an exclusive interview with Roznama Express, Sarfraz, who is highly religious and a Hafiz-e-Quran, said: "It is the holy month of Ramzan and everyone was fasting and praying, so yes those prayers have definitely been answered. The way we won the game against Sri Lanka and South Africa, it couldn't have been possible without the boys' hard work, the public's prayers and Allah's help."
When asked how he juggled cricket and Ramzan, Sarfraz added: "It is very difficult to fast between matches, especially 50-over matches, but yes whenever there were free days, I fasted."
Contrary to a popular notion, Sarfraz says his team did go into the tournament to win despite their low ranking.
"Yes, our target was to come here and win the Champions Trophy, but the way the boys bounced back [after an early setback], they deserve all the praise."
He also reserved special praise for the Inzamamul Haq-led selection committee for providing him the tools to mastermind the Champions Trophy triumph.
"I am very thankful to the selection committee for providing me all the players we asked them for," said Sarfraz. "Inzi bhai (Inzamamul Haq) especially, I will give him and his team a lot of credit for helping and supporting us. In fact, he always tells me that if you need a particular player, just ask."
Pakistan's Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfraz Ahmed believes his team's triumph against the odds couldn't have been possible without the "boys' hard work, the public's prayers and Allah's help."
In an exclusive interview with Roznama Express, Sarfraz, who is highly religious and a Hafiz-e-Quran, said: "It is the holy month of Ramzan and everyone was fasting and praying, so yes those prayers have definitely been answered. The way we won the game against Sri Lanka and South Africa, it couldn't have been possible without the boys' hard work, the public's prayers and Allah's help."
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When asked how he juggled cricket and Ramzan, Sarfraz added: "It is very difficult to fast between matches, especially 50-over matches, but yes whenever there were free days, I fasted."
Contrary to a popular notion, Sarfraz says his team did go into the tournament to win despite their low ranking.
"Yes, our target was to come here and win the Champions Trophy, but the way the boys bounced back [after an early setback], they deserve all the praise."
He also reserved special praise for the Inzamamul Haq-led selection committee for providing him the tools to mastermind the Champions Trophy triumph.
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"I am very thankful to the selection committee for providing me all the players we asked them for," said Sarfraz. "Inzi bhai (Inzamamul Haq) especially, I will give him and his team a lot of credit for helping and supporting us. In fact, he always tells me that if you need a particular player, just ask."