Sarfraz Ahmed opens up about on-pitch 'anger'

Pakistan skipper talks player management and future overseas series

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, after whitewashing the three-match T20I series 3-0 against Sri Lanka, revealed that he feels embarrassed after watching himself being angry on players during matches.

Sarfraz, in a candid conversation with commentator Ramiz Raja, said he only gets angry at his teammates because he loves them.

When asked if managing young players becomes easy when they are of nearly the same age, Sarfraz replied: “I am enjoying a lot with all of these players. As I told you before, they listen. I know I get angry a lot. Sometimes when I watch TV and they show a slow-motion replay of me, I ask myself ‘what was I doing there’.”

Ramiz then praised him for not abusing in anger, and Sarfraz said with a laugh: “Yes, that is the case. I know when the camera cuts to a close-up shot, all of you can understand what I am saying, so I avoid abusing.”

First message, as captain, to players?

During Sarfraz’s stay at the helm, Pakistan have defeated the West Indies, bagged the Champions Trophy and whitewashed Sri Lanka in both the five-match ODI and three-match T20I series. His only losses have come against Sri Lanka in the Tests.

The 30-year-old discussed what he changed when he became captain. “When I was given the captaincy, I told the players to give their 100% on the field and never worry about the results. Before that, we were too obsessed with the results. I told them if we play with clear and clean intentions, we will get results.”

He pointed to his dropped catch against Sri Lanka in the group matches of the Champions Trophy as a reason for believing in miracles.

“If you see the Sri Lanka match, even a kid would’ve caught that catch. It was Ramazan, I was reciting Durud Shareef, everyone was praying for us, so we won. If you see Shadab’s six in the second T20I, that is enough proof,” he explained.

Wicketkeeper-batsman said youngsters, with their performances, are making a difference for Pakistan cricket.

“I have great youngsters in the team,” said Sarfraz. “Junior players such as Shadab, Fakhar Zaman, Rumman Raees, Umar Amin played today, Faheem Ashraf is there, are really good. They listen and rectify their mistakes.”

Never enforce my leadership: Sarfraz

Sarfraz said he never used his authority as captain for wrong purposes.

“I never enforce my authority as the leader or the captain saying 'I will do whatever I want',” said Sarfraz. “I never did that and I don’t plan to do it in the future as well. I just want my team to play as a unit.”

Pakistan captain praised team management and selection committee for working with him. “The good thing is that our selectors support us,” he said. “The team management always backs me up. I have a good understanding with [head coach] Mickey Arthur.”

He continued by saying they want to provide every new entrant a proper chance so they can prove themselves. “We try that whoever plays for us, we give them a proper chance. And by the grace of Allah, whenever we have given a youngster a chance, he has delivered results. We play them in matches. When the selection committee sends them to us, we give them confidence.”

‘Team has potential to perform overseas’

Pakistan have a busy schedule in 2018 where they will be playing a lot of series outside the UAE and Sarfraz thinks the confidence they have gathered this year will help them.

“The team is good. The boys are talented; they learn and they adapt. When we went to England [for the Champions Trophy], we played in West Indies before that. In West Indies we played on slow pitches, the ball was breaking there more. But the boys adjusted to the English conditions, adjusted with the bounce, focused more on cut and pull; so, I think the team has enough potential to perform overseas. Also they have gained a lot of confidence this year which will help them.”