Newly appointed Pakistan captain Shan Masood has explained why Sarfaraz Ahmed will start ahead of Mohammad Rizwan in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
During the Pakistan team’s training in Perth, coach Masood told reporters, “In the last full series before the game against Sri Lanka, SarfarazBhai came back and was the player of the series. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion after just one test. He was one of the best batsmen in the domestic season last year and we’re going to give him the green light and give him another chance. ”
Shan Masood – We will go with Sarfaraz Ahmed rather than Rizwan because Sarfaraz has scored runs over the last year and in domestic too.#PAKvAUS | #GTA6 | #GTA6trailer pic.twitter.com/oSbZr3532k
– JIMMRZ (@Jimmrz_) 5. December 2023
Sarfaraz was absent from Pakistan’s Test team for three years until he was recalled for the match against New Zealand in Karachi in December last year. His recall came after Pakistan lost the home series against England 3-0 and Mohammad Rizwan was ruled out of the upcoming series against the Black Caps. The former captain scored 86 in his comeback innings, his first on home soil, and also scored his first half-century in the second innings.
In the next match of the series, he completed his fourth Test century, scoring 118 off 176 balls and helping his team draw. He suffered a concussion during the following second series of Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and was substituted midway through the match, replacing Rizwan. Rizwan scored half-centuries and was one of the few Pakistani players to regain success after a disappointing season at the World Cup.
However, Massoud’s comments indicate that Sarfaraz is still in office despite the change of government that took place last month.
Pakistan begins their match against Australia in Perth on December 14th, but they have not won a Test against Australia since 1995. They will play her three friendlies in the series, which concludes on January 7th.
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