SARFARAZ AHMED is no Imran Khan, Wasim Akram or Misbah-ul-Haq. There is no aura about him. But Pakistan’s skipper in all three formats has earned the respect of the cricket fraternity back home through sheer hard work and determination. For the record, he is the only other skipper apart from Imran Khan to have brought home an ICC trophy; that, too, by beating arch-rivals India in the finals of Champions Trophy 2017. More importantly, he has worked together with coach Mickey Arthur to change the way Pakistan approaches its white ball cricket. It is under his stewardship that young and audacious players like Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam were picked and backed, giving the team some extra zing.
In an exclusive interaction with THE WEEK over phone, Sarfaraz spoke of Pakistan’s preparation and expectations for the World Cup.
Edited excerpts:
How satisfied are you with your team’s World Cup preparation?
I am very satisfied. The team has been very positive through the [training] camp. Eleven players in the team were part of the Champions Trophy [2017] winning team. The weather was different in Pakistan during the camp. But we have had 10 to 12 days of preparation in English conditions.
How much focus was given to your Champions Trophy win while preparing for the World Cup?
See, the Champions Trophy win was a very big victory, no doubt. But we will leave it behind while going into the World Cup. The pressure of World Cup [matches] will be different. Those will not be like usual matches or a normal series. I played the World Cup last time, and I have shared those experiences. So have other senior players like Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. It is a young team, brimming with talent and enthusiasm. They have the ability to withstand the pressure of a World Cup match.
Sarfaraz Ahmed | AFP
How would you describe the team selection?
This team has played a lot of ODI cricket together. Then there is the presence of seniors like Malik. However, most players are playing their maiden World Cup; it will no doubt be a big moment for them.
How challenging will it be to balance enthusiasm with clinical performance?
It will be the same for every team. Each team is playing every other team in the tournament. It is not easy, we will have to play our top cricket in every match. We know what strategy to adopt in each match. There was a minor setback with young leg spinner Shadab Khan being unwell. But he is fit now.
Speaking about Shadab, how crucial is leg spin in England this time?
Leg spin is an option which can get you both runs and wickets. About leg spinners being used as an attacking option in the World Cup, the credit goes to former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. He used leg spin effectively in the 1992 World Cup. With field restrictions now—five fielders inside the circle—batsmen look to take chances in the middle overs. The leg spinner sets a field to take advantage of this rule. Leg spin is very crucial for us in this World Cup and we have Yasir Shah as Shadab’s backup.
What makes Shadab an X-factor of your team?
Shadab is the backbone of our team. He is a multi-dimensional player: He is an excellent fielder at point. He is young, always willing to bowl at any point in the match. His googly is good and he bowls excellent leg spin with enough variations. He is very useful both in middle and death overs. Plus, he can bat, too.
Also read
- ICC Cricket Committee to discuss boundary count back rule in its next meeting
- Kumar Dharmasena admits umpiring 'error' in World Cup final
- India-Pakistan rivalry: Dead and gone?
- Revisiting India-Pakistan encounters in World Cup history
- World Cup: The hi-tech bails that refuse to budge
- Jofra, the archer
- Hunting grounds
Your thoughts on the India-Pakistan match. You beat India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final in England.
We are not dwelling on the fact that we beat India in Champions Trophy 2017. This is the big tournament, different format.... As a captain if you ask me, every match is equally important as the one against India. If we have to do well in the World Cup, we have to play all matches with the same intensity and importance. If Pakistan has to win the World Cup, we have to beat all teams—not just India. I am sure all skippers think the same, including Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
Tell us a bit about your openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq.
Both are playing their first World Cup. Zaman is a dashing batsman who loves to play attacking cricket; Imam takes his time, plays the ball on its merit and has excellent timing. Both are in tremendous form. The other new opener, Abid Ali, is also in good form and has a very sound technique.
The Pakistan squad met Prime Minister Imran Khan before leaving for England. What was the advice he gave?
He said to win the tournament and to beat big teams, the key would be to bowl these teams out. He said that he had only three bowlers to do so—Wasim Akram, Aaqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed. He told us how he used available resources in the best possible manner.
How do you rate Virat Kohli as a captain and player?
See each team has a key batsman. I do not need to say much about Virat Kohli—he is the No. 1 batsman in the world at present. All teams would want to ensure that he does not do much damage. Not just him, key players like Steve Smith, David Warner, Aaron Finch or Kane Williamson, or for that matter our Babar Azam, all will be key to their team’s fortunes in the World Cup. Kohli is the Indian team’s backbone and every team would want to get him out early.