KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made his return to Test cricket after a gap of more than three years, made headlines after his brilliant knock of 86 in the first Test against New Zealand.
The wicketkeeper batter made his Test return in style; scoring his first-ever half-century on home soil which was his 19th overall in the longest format.
His crucial knock of 86 turned out to be a game-changer for Pakistan as they defied top-order collapse and recovered to finish the first day on a high.
Pakistan were 110/4 when Sarfaraz joined his captain Babar Azam in the middle and stitched a match-saving 194-run partnership for the fifth wicket before falling to Ajaz Patel in the closing overs of the first day’s play.
The right-handed batter scored 86 off 153 balls, laced with eight boundaries.
Sarfaraz’s brilliance inspired his former teammate Wahab Riaz, who termed Sarfaraz’s knock a special one and extended his best wishes to the latter.
“What a comeback innings for [Sarfaraz Ahmed]. [You have] always been a special player,” wrote Riaz on his Twitter.
“Never easy to b on the bench for so long & on the return [you] express yourself. Lots of prayers,” he added.
What a comeback innings for @SarfarazA_54 . U hve always been a special player. Never easy to b on the bench for so long & on a return u express urself . Lot of prayers
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) December 26, 2022
Besides Wahab, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan also wished Sarfaraz for scoring a brilliant half-century in his 50th Test match.
“50 in 50th Test for kaptaan. Well played saifi bhai,” wrote Shadab.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz also became a top trend on Twitter following his remarkable comeback knock and received immense appreciation from cricket fans.
Here’s how they reacted:
Outstanding come back from former captain on his home ground after 3 years. 🇵🇰💪#SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/tY6cv45Y6w
— Saboor Shahzad (@SaboorShahzad) December 26, 2022
PAKISTAN KA SHER ❤️👏
CAPTAIN 👑#SarfarazAhmed • #PAKvNZ#BabarAzam𓃵 • #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/pdpIdx6Clc— (🅡̣̣̣.🅜̣̣̣ .🅢̣̣̣ )ḶQ 💚 🇵🇰 |🏏|♥️ (@Saddique_rao) December 26, 2022
What a comeback Saifi bhai! #SarfarazAhmed #PakvsNZ #Cricket pic.twitter.com/10qKoLM6IN
— Ali Waqar (@imAliwaqar) December 26, 2022
It would be a long walk for Sarfaraz but what a comeback captain. A brilliant innings when Pakistan was in trouble give support to Babar you don't need to be ashamed keep your head up #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/xomPc1fI7N
— Muhammad Hassan Mustafa (@BEASTHASSAN10) December 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/Beingmuslim92/status/1607359539187453953
Back with a Bang!!!! Excellent knock by our very own kaptaaan. #SarfarazAhmed
— Maria Anjum (@MariaAnjum11) December 26, 2022
It is pertinent to mention that Sarfaraz last played a Test match back in 2019 against South Africa when he bagged a golden duck in the second innings of the match.
READ: Babar, Sarfaraz defy early collapse to take Pakistan on top in Karachi Test
