Sarfraz Ahmed aims to be a worthy successor of Misbah-Ul-Haq

Sarfraz Ahmed, who was appointed as the new Test captain of Pakistan has vowed to bring glory to the country as the leader. The 30-year-old was handed over the massive responsibility on 4^th July 2017 and the cricketer looks to justify his position.

Sarfraz who led Pakistan to the historic win over India in the ICC Champions Trophy final spoke to Dawn after attending a reception held in honour of the team by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday. The Karachi-born cricketer thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for giving him the privilege to lead the Pakistan side after legendary batsman Misbah-ul-Haq.

“Obviously, it is a great honour to be named as captain of the Pakistan Test team. After being asked to lead the T20 side and the ODI team, this appointment comes as another big challenge for me,” Sarfraz said. “I would like to offer my gratitude to the PCB chairman [Shaharyar M. Khan] for keeping faith in my abilities.”

It is a tremendous honour for Sarfraz as he will become the 32^nd cricketer to lead Pakistan in the longest format of the game and only the 5^th wicketkeeper batsman to get this opportunity when Pakistan meet Sri Lanka later this year. Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Imtiaz Ahmed and Wasim Bari are the other wicketkeeper-batsmen to lead the men in green at the highest level.

On Misbah and Younis:

Sarfraz highlighted the fact that the absence of Misbah and Younis, two stalwarts of the game will be a huge negative for them and it will be hard for the middle order to cope up without them.

“Of course, Pakistan will greatly feel their absence and there is no doubt about it. But like everyone else, there comes a time in one’s career as a sportsperson when you stop playing.

“Misbah and Younis played [for Pakistan] with great distinction and their immense contribution will never be forgotten. They are true legends of world cricket who served the sport with dignity. We will not only miss their batting but the camaraderie they brought into the team,” said the man.

He also pointed out that life goes on and Pakistan will become stronger as a unit under him. He said Misbah was a highly influential figure and what he did for the country cannot be compared. According to Sarfraz, he will have to work very hard to establish himself as the perfect successor of Misbah-ul-Haq.

“But we have to prepare well for the future. Players come and go but the game goes on. I’m sure with the passage of time Pakistan will continue to develop into a competitive unit. Misbah did a wonderful job over a long period as leader of the Test side. Therefore, I have a hard act to follow.”

Despite their Champions Trophy triumph, Sarfraz Ahmed believes that the team must continue working hard and improve on various parts of the game to keep competing at the highest level.

“As I had said before, that we will continue to work as hard as possible and not sit on our laurels [of winning the Champions Trophy] because cricket is very competitive nowadays and there is little margin for error,” he remarked.

“The Champions Trophy win has definitely raised our confidence but we must always guard ourselves against being complacent.” concluded Sarfraz.