ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes Sarfaraz Ahmed should be included in the national one-day international squad as the white-ball World Cup approaches. Malik believes the wicketkeeper batter will shine in the upcoming tournament.

After a four-year layoff, Sarfaraz returned to the national Test team, replacing wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan in the side; he hit 86 runs in his first Test since 2019.

The wicketkeeper-batter put on a magnificent 196-run stand with skipper Babar Azam before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel, who edged one to Mitchell at first slip shortly before the end. Shoaib Malik praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) interim chief selector Shahid Afridi for including Sarfaraz in the Karachi Test against New Zealand.

Captain Babar Azam was dismissed after scoring 161, with Salman Agha currently at the crease on the verge of scoring his maiden Test century.

Shoaib Malik praised Afridi's choice to bring Sarfaraz into the Test squad. He stated that Sarfaraz should also be included in the ODI squad because the white-ball cricket World Cup is approaching.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 28 2022

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