Former captain of the national team and wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed‘s batting luck woke up. He scored a century in first class cricket after 5 years.
Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed scored a century against Southern Punjab in the 7th round match of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at National Stadium Karachi. The former captain has scored 3 centuries in Test matches and 2 centuries in ODIs in international cricket.
Sarfaraz Ahmed last scored a century in ODI cricket on 27 August 2016 against England at Lord’s and before that he scored a century against Ireland on 15 March 2015 in Adelaide.
Sarfaraz Ahmed scored his first century in Test cricket on 14 August 2014 against Sri Lanka in Colombo, his second century against Australia in Dubai on 22 October 2014 and his third century against New Zealand in Dubai on 9 November 2014.
Sarfaraz’s 11th century in first-class cricket overall and he has played 155 first-class matches.
It should be remembered that the Pakistan Cricket Board had dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed from the captaincy of all three formats after the clean sweep defeat in the T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Sarfraz Ahmed said that he was waiting for this innings, he was trying for a long time to play a big innings, I am happy that he managed to play this innings. Scored two fifties in the last innings but the century is important, it has boosted confidence.
To a question, Sarfaraz Ahmed said that in domestic cricket, a player can work on getting back his form free from pressure, sometimes a break becomes necessary.
Regarding his comeback, he said that he was never hopeless, but right now the focus is on performing better in domestic cricket, if lucky, he will definitely come back to the team.
The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman also praised fellow cricketer Fawad Alam and said that he always scores well and the best thing about Fawad is that he never gives up, keeps working hard, hopefully Fawad. The scholar will surely get the reward of his hard work.
Regarding the second Test between Pakistan and Australia in Adelaide, Sarfraz Ahmed said that Pakistan cricket team has a chance in Adelaide because the spinners get support there and Yasir Shah can prove to be a useful bowler in these conditions. However, he emphasized that for victory in Test cricket, it is necessary to dismiss the rival team twice.
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Interview with Sarfaraz Ahmed: A Century to Remember
Interviewer: Welcome, Sarfaraz! Congratulations on scoring your first century in first-class cricket after five long years. How does it feel to be back on the scoreboard in such a significant way?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: Thank you! It feels amazing to finally get that century. It’s been a tough few years, and I’ve been working hard on my game. Scoring runs for my team again gives me a lot of joy and confidence.
Interviewer: You scored this century against Southern Punjab during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Can you share some insights on how the match unfolded for you?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: The pitch was a little tricky initially, but I focused on building my innings slowly. I tried to be patient and wait for the right balls to play my shots. Eventually, I found a rhythm, and with the support of my teammates, I was able to reach that century.
Interviewer: It has been a long wait for a century since your last one in ODIs back in 2016. What were some of the challenges you faced during this period?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: There were definitely challenges, especially the pressure and expectations that come with playing at this level. I had to remind myself to stay positive and keep working on my technique. Injuries and form fluctuations also impacted my performance, but my love for the game never faded.
Interviewer: With this century being your 11th in first-class cricket, do you think this milestone can reinvigorate your career and perhaps position you for a national comeback?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: Absolutely! I see this century as a stepping stone. I believe that consistently scoring runs can lead to further opportunities. The national team is always my dream, and I hope to prove my worth again through performances like this.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the tournament and your future in cricket?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: My immediate goal is to help my team win the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. I also want to keep building my form and contribute more consistently. Long-term, just like every cricketer, I want to represent Pakistan again and help our team achieve great things on the international stage.
Interviewer: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Sarfaraz. We wish you all the best for your future matches!
Sarfaraz Ahmed: Thank you! I appreciate the support!
T for this moment. You mentioned feeling a boost in confidence after scoring the century. How important is it for a player like yourself to find form in domestic cricket, especially after being dismissed from the captaincy?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: It’s incredibly important. Domestic cricket offers a chance to work on your skills without the pressure of international matches. After being released from captaincy, I focused on improving my personal performance, which allowed me to play more freely. It’s all about finding that rhythm again and building on it.
Interviewer: You spoke about Fawad Alam and his relentless work ethic. Can you tell us what he means to you as a teammate?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: Fawad is an inspiration to all of us. His dedication and perseverance are commendable. He’s always ready to put in the effort, and it’s refreshing to see someone work so hard without losing hope. I believe his time will come, and I have no doubt he will reap the rewards.
Interviewer: Looking ahead to the second Test between Pakistan and Australia in Adelaide, what are your thoughts on the team’s chances?
Sarfaraz Ahmed: I genuinely think we have a solid chance. Adelaide can offer some assistance to spinners, and Yasir Shah’s skills could play a crucial role. However, as I always say, to win in Test cricket, we must dismiss the opposition’s batting lineup twice.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Sarfaraz. We look forward to seeing more great performances from you in both domestic and international cricket.
Sarfaraz Ahmed: Thank you! I appreciate the support and hope to keep delivering for my team.
