The wicketkeeper-batsman took the team's leadership responsibility in February 2017 during the difficult time in Pakistan cricket. Sarfraz didn't need more time to set his reputation as captain in world cricket as in July 2017 under his leadership Pakistan thrashed arch-rivals India in the final of Champions Trophy. Sarfraz captaincy abilities came into limelight in 2006 when he led the U19 side to the World Cup triumph. He made his debut very early in 2007 against India but couldn't manage to fix his place in the team and played just t four Tests, four T20Is and 26 ODIs during the 2007-2014 reign. He was not impactful that time as Pakistan already had Akmal brothers- Kamran and Umar as their first-choice wicketkeepers. It was in 2014 when the Pakistan skipper made the mark in the national team when he scored 74 runs against Sri Lanka in losing cause after that there was no stopping for Sarfraz and now he is the perfect candidate to lead the young Pakistan team.
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Raja further criticised Pakistan team management's decision to drop leg-spinner Yasir Shah from the ongoing third Test.
Keeping in mind the fast pitches in South Africa, the squad includes only one specialist spinner in Shadab Khan, while Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and Usman Shinwari are the three fast bowlers along with Amir.
Faf and Sarfraz failed to open their accounts with the bat in both innings.
Other specialist seamers in the squad include Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Afridi.
While reflecting on Pakistan's performance against New Zealand in the Test Series, the veteran cricketer stated that the opposite side completely "outplayed" them and played better cricket.
It was New Zealand's only fifth series victory in Asia and first in 10 years, while Pakistan lost only their second Test series in the United Arab Emirates in the last decade.
New Zealand recovered from Tom Latham's first-ball dismissal to reach 56-1 in its second innings at stumps, trailing by just 18 runs.
Another uncapped player, batsman Saad Ali, was included after he scored 144 runs for Pakistan A against New Zealand A in the United Arab Emirates.
"It’s not his job to give (the) action which was shown on TV," said an irate Sarfraz.
Danny Morrison and Shane Bond are the other New Zealand fast bowlers to perform hat tricks in ODIs.
Pakistan won the first T20 on the last ball and will be eyeing its second successive clean sweep in T20 series in the last match on Sunday.
With 17 required off the last over, Ross Taylor (42 not out) and Tim Southee (5 not out) could only get 14 off left-arm seamer Shaheen Afridi.
Mohsin, who is also the chief selector and head coach of Pakistan cricket, said some relief should be given to Sarfraz.
Under Ahmed's leadership, Pakistan have won 10 consecutive Twenty20 series beginning with the 1-0 win over England in 2016.
Ahmed compared the left-hander to world's greatest fielder Jonty Rhodes, claiming that this kind of run-out has not even been pulled off by the former Proteas fielder.
The image showing the rival captains Aaron Finch and Sarfraz Ahmed holding the trophy before the series began was circulated widely on social media.
Azam fell for a career-best 99 and captain Sarfraz Ahmed added 81 before he declared their second innings over at 400-9 for an overall lead of 537 runs.
Amir was also dropped for the ongoing two-test series against Australia. The left-arm fast bowler hasn't taken a wicket in his last five ODIs.
Fakhar Zaman and captain Sarfraz Ahmed led the Pakistan rescue with identical scores of 94 runs each before both were dismissed by part-time legspinner Marnus Labuschagne.
Imam was injured in Dubai while fielding during the last day of the first Test, which was drawn.
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