KARACHI: Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed opened up on his comeback into Test cricket after a gap of almost four years and asserted it felt like a debut match for him.

Sarfaraz, who gained attention for his sensational 86-run knock in the first Test on home soil, stated his heart was pounding as he came onto the field amid a scheduled press conference following the first day’s action.

“Look, if you ask about how I was feeling when I played the first three deliveries and if someone had checked my heartbeat at that time then probably the meter would have exploded,” shared Sarfaraz.

“So, my heart was beating so fast and it was a similar feeling to that of making your debut as I was playing a Test match after a very long time and the match too was in crunch position at that moment.

“So, when we walked into the pavilion for the lunch break, boys who have played alongside me, noticed my nervousness and were telling me to get normal and I also told them that my heart is beating so fast.

“But, when I went onto the field Babar gave me a lot of confidence as a senior player and carried me with great determination as I also needed confidence at that time and most importantly the Almighty Allah gave me respect.”

The right-handed batter also provided an update on his injury, which he sustained due to a cautious diving effort amid his 86-run knock against the touring side by claiming he is feeling much better now.

“I hurt my knee when I dove and I was experiencing a sharp pain because of that but thanks to Almighty Allah I am feeling much better now,” shared Sarfaraz.

It is pertinent to mention that Sarfaraz helped skipper Babar Azam in defying the early collapse and put Pakistan into a commanding position at the stroke of stumps on Day 1 against New Zealand.

Sarfaraz scored 86 runs before falling to Ajaz Patel in the closing minutes of the opening day and offered a helping hand to Babar (161*) in stitching a valiant fifth-wicket partnership.

The duo added 194 runs for the fifth wicket and strengthened Pakistan’s position over New Zealand in the ongoing first Test.

READ: Twitter erupts as Sarfaraz Ahmed makes Test return in style