Pakistan ODI and T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed thinks the team is facing tough times after the Pakistan Super League spot-fixing scandal.
Islamabad duo Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan, right-handed batsman Shahzaib Hasan and left-handed batsman Nasir Jamshed have been suspended by the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
“I don’t want to comment on the PSL issue but yes, we are going through tough times and we need to do well in the upcoming series to boost our people,” Sarfraz told the media before leaving for the West Indies where Pakistan play four T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests matches.
Pakistan team is currently eighth in the International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings and will directly qualify for the 2019 50-over World Cup if they can keep hold of the spot. However, if West Indies manage a 3-0 whitewash against Sarfraz’s men then Pakistan will be up against it in their bid to reclaim the eighth position before the September 2017 cut-off date.
A single Pakistan win will be enough to keep their position on the table, a series win will make their position better. Whereas a series whitewash by Pakistan will take them to the seventh place, hence making the position better.
Sarfraz did admit however that the absence of Sharjeel will be a huge loss to the team but newcomers will be tried to fill that spot.
“It’s saddening when you lose some players who are perfect for the setup,” said Sarfraz while talking to reporters at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. “Sharjeel was the type of player who we needed as he was perfect for the contemporary run-and-gun style of cricket.”
To lose a player of his quality, says Sarfraz, is a bitter blow, but one his team is prepared to overcome. “He isn’t with us anymore so of course, it will affect us but I have full faith in the newcomers and they will translate their domestic form at international level.”
