HOBART: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) minced no words when it announced a day after the national team’s stunning defeat in the Sydney Test on Wednesday that young wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed will “participate” in the final Test here as a replacement for Kamran Akmal.
However, Arab News learnt through reliable sources on Saturday that the tour selection committee is not convinced and will have a “debate” on the issue before taking a final decision on it within the next couple of days.
Kamran, it seemed, was out of the final Test after he dropped four easy catches besides squandering a run-out opportunity in the second Test. His pathetic showing behind the stumps was seen as the biggest reason behind Pakistan’s 36-run defeat that came after the tourists had taken a 206-run lead against the Aussies.
Just a day later, the PCB issued a press release from its headquarters in Lahore saying that Sarfraz will be rushed to Australia where he will participate in the third Test starting at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart from Jan. 14.
Sarfraz, 20, is scheduled to join the national team here on Sunday.
Just the other day, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam confirmed to this correspondent that Sarfraz is all set to make his debut in Hobart as a replacement for the fumbling Kamran.
However, it seems that the team management is now having second thoughts.
Sources told ‘The News’ that Kamran has a lot of influence within the team and most of the players want him to play the third Test instead of Sarfraz.
Kamran himself has also shown his desire to feature in the Hobart Test, saying that he would do his best not to repeat the mistakes of Sydney in the future. He said that the second Test is like a nightmare for him as he gave the worst performance of his career.
But he was quick to add that no cricketer commits mistakes intentionally. The under-fire ’keeper stressed that he has always tried to give his best for Pakistan and will compensate for his blunders at the Sydney Cricket Ground by shining in the coming matches.
Kamran said that he received valuable tip from Ian Healy, adding that he will seek more help from the former Australia Test wicketkeeper ahead of the Hobart Test.
Many critics have suggested that the non-stop cricket that Kamran has played in recent years could have affected his performance. But the player doesn’t think so. Kamran said that he is not tired and was ready to play the Hobart Test.
