Cricket: There’s more to come from me, says Sarfraz

Wicket-keeper hopes to play Test cricket as well.

KARACHI:

Sarfraz Ahmed’s crucial input in the Asia Cup final has given the wicket-keeper an extra dose of  of confidence.

Sarfraz was under immense pressure to perform after an indifferent show with the bat earlier in his career but his valuable 46, in Pakistan’s two-run win, was not only the highest score of the innings but also the innings that helped his side post a defendable total.

“I feel like being reborn in international cricket as my innings in the final has broken the shackles for me.” Sarfraz told The Express Tribune. “Obviously there was immense pressure on me to perform but to do that when your team needs it the most is a feeling which can’t be described in words. It’s a joyous occasion but I’m sad that my father is not in the world to see what I have done.”

Pakistan’s worries have been aplenty since the omission of Kamran Akmal. With several options, including Mohammad Salman, Zulqarnain Haider, Adnan Akmal, Umar Akmal and Sarfraz tried and rotated, a decent replacement was still wanting. Although not as impressive as Kamran with the bat, Sarfraz has vowed improvement with every passing day.

“My confidence is really high and I’ll play with more command in the future. There’s more to come from me and hopefully I’ll be able to produce on the international circuit what I have done in first-class cricket.”

Although having played just a solitary Test – against Australia in 2010 – Sarfraz wants another crack at the longest version of cricket.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and it’s a dream to be able to play that format.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2012.