Sarfaraz Ahmed didn't want to play final T20I against England, says Misbah-ul-Haq

Sarfaraz was offered a chance to play the third T20I after being overlooked for the entire England tour.

By Salman Anjum - 10 Sep, 2020

After being ignored for almost the entire tour of England, former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was hesitant to feature in the third T20I when he was finally presented with an opportunity.

"He didn't refuse to play, but yes, he had reservations and apprehensions over being asked to play in the last match of the tour," Pakistan head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, told Geo News channel.

"If I had been in his position I would have felt the same way. A player does feel apprehensive and uncertain if he is told to play in the last match of the tour after not playing in earlier matches," he added.

See Also: "First cricketer to yawn in all formats," Sarfaraz Ahmed gets roasted yet again

Misbah said the team management, comprising batting coach Younis Khan, T20 captain Babar Azam and himself, had an open discussion with Sarfaraz and assured him that he was in their scheme of things for the future.

"After we had a candid discussion with him over his reservations, he played without apprehensions."

In the match, Sarfaraz didn’t get a chance to bat but he was seen sharing his inputs with captain Babar in pressure situations.

According to a PTI report, Sarfaraz became apprehensive the moment he was told he was in the playing XI for the final T20, which Pakistan won by 5 runs, as he had trained for three hours in the nets without knowing he was to play and had gotten tired.

(With PTI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 10 Sep, 2020

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