Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed has said that spinner Yasir Shah’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe will be beneficial for the team. Speaking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday, Sarfraz said the team picked for the upcoming series were well rounded, and would be boosted by the return of Shah, who was sidelined by a hip bone injury earlier this year. The 32-year old spinner is back in the national squad for the upcoming ODI tour of Zimbabwe, which follows a triangular series between Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Australia.

Speaking about the squad, Sarfraz said the team would utilise Mohammad Hafeez to his full potential as an opener as well as a spinner. He also lauded Kamran Akmal’s recent performance in the domestic circuit. About his own performance the captain said he had been working on his batting and hoped to perform well. “As a captain I am always under pressure, but I will not let it get to me, said Sarfraz, adding that he would try to win matches with his batting and continue to bat at number four in the upcoming T20 matches.

The 31-year old said he would not be taking 12th-ranked Zimbabwe lightly in the upcoming series. “Toss will be an important part of the match. There will be pressure in the series, but I have told the team to play their natural game.” Sarfraz added that the Pakistan team had good bowlers with match-winning capabilities. Pakistan will play Australia and Zimbabwe in a triangular series from July 1 to July 8, 2018. The tri-series will be followed by a five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe commencing from July 13. The ODIs have been scheduled at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on July 13, 16, 18, 20 and 22.

Published in Daily Times, June 28^th 2018.