Shoaib suggests to include Sarfaraz in ODIs too after Test comeback

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former captain Shoaib Malik has suggested trying Sarfaraz Ahmed in One Day Internationals also following his sensational comeback in Tests after four years.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Shoaib hailed the decision of interim PCB chief selector Shahid Afridi for giving him a chance in playing XI, adding: “I would suggest to use him in ODIs too as he is very handy in the middle overs.”

“Smart decision by Lala @SAfridiOfficial (Shahid Afridi) to use @SarfarazA_54 (Sarfaraz Ahmed) in test playing 11 today. I would suggest to use him in ODI’s too as he is very handy in the middle overs, as the next white ball worldcup is around the corner. Good ton by @babarazam25 (Babar Azam) too. All the best boys.” he tweeted.

Sarfaraz grabbed the limelight the other day when he scored 86 under pressure and stitched an astounding partnership of 194 runs for the fifth wicket with batting maestro Babar Azam to help Pakistan defy the early collapse on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand.

Courtesy to Babar’s masterclass 161-run knock and Sarafarz’s helping hand, Pakistan finished the opening day on high with a total of 317/5 at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sarfaraz played his last ODI in April 2021 against South Africa in Johannesburg. He scored 50 off 40 in that match, that too as captain of the side.

Overall, he represented Pakistan in 117 ODIS and accumulated 2315 runs at an average of 33.56 with two centuries and 11 fifties to his credit.

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