Tag: Sarfaraz Ahmed

  • Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shown concern on consecutive defeats of Quetta Gladiators. Talking on a TV show, Afridi said that Sarfaraz Ahmed has to step down as captain of Quetta Gladiators.

    He said that Sarfaraz should play only as a team member and focus on his own performance first to manage the pressure upon him. Afridi added that the responsibility for Quetta’s consecutive defeats lies on team management who has no alternative captain.

    Responding to a question about Sarfaraz’s performance, Afridi cited an example from Islamabad United and said: “There should always be a player standing by on the bench who can take the place if the team falls short of any player.”

    “This strategy is nowhere to be seen in Quetta Gladiators”, he added.

    The former star cricketer also mentioned that several changes had been made in the team.

    While citing another example from Karachi Kings, he said that the team is not performing exceptionally well, however, its captain Imad Wasim can be seen performing and leading his team.

    The captain’s performance has an important role in the team’s performance, Afridi emphasised.

    He further added that Sarfaraz has played a number of matches for Pakistan and he performed very well in those matches.

    “Prior to the start of the league, I had talked to Nadeem Umar. He asked me for some advice. I had said the same then: Remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta as soon as possible but keep him as a team member so that as a player he could perform well and he could absorb the pressure of his own performance and enjoy his game-play’.”

    Quetta Gladiator squad for PSL 8
    Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)

  • ‘Mind your own business, meri coach mat bano’: Sarfaraz Ahmed under fire for mansplaining wife Khushbakht

    ‘Mind your own business, meri coach mat bano’: Sarfaraz Ahmed under fire for mansplaining wife Khushbakht

    Pakistan’s former test cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and his wife Khushbakht recently appeared on Nida Yasir’s Sehri show on ARY Digital, the duo shared that they don’t talk about cricket after an unforgettable moment happened between them before their marriage. 

    Cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed Makes It To Nida Yasir Show With Family [In Pictures] - Lens

    The couple shared why they avoid talking about cricket. 

    “It was my first Test tour to South Africa in 2013 and we just got hitched,” Sarfaraz recalled. 

    “As you know, South African bouncy conditions are always tricky for us, so I failed to score runs there.

    “I was already disturbed with my performance and then Khushbakht asked me to focus on my performance. It irritated me a bit and I immediately told her to mind her own business,” he disclosed. 

    “Mera coach banne ki zaroorat nahi hai, mere pas already coaches hain [Don’t try to be my coach, I already have my coaches],” Sarfaraz was quoted saying to his wife on phone.

    Intervening into the conversation, Khushbakht said; “Thereafter, we didn’t talk about cricket ever.”

    This statement of Sarfaraz has gained polarising response from netizens.

    Sarfaraz and Khushbakht tied the knot in 2015. The couple have two children named, Abdullah and Ayesha. 

    Sarfaraz also mentioned that he gets very angry when any of his equipment gets misplaced.

    Recently he appreciated actress Hania Aamir for her performance in blockbuster drama serial, Ishqiya costarring Feroze Khan.

    Sarfaraz Ahmed

    Hania Amir Official - How was the today episode of drama #Ishqiya | Facebook

    In a recent interview in which the Pakistani athletes had to comment on local celebrities, Sarfraz stated that the Anaa star impressed him with her performance in the romantic drama.

    The former captain also penned a dialogue from the hit drama Parizaad starring Ahmed Ali Akbar on his Instagram stories.

  • ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    Quetta Gladiators all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz’s injury left team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened as he expressed his sadness on Twitter.

    Taking to Twitter Sarfaraz wrote: “Na jaa yar. (Don’t go mate). Get well soon.”

    Replying to his team’s captain, Nawaz said: “I wish skipper. Ameen.”

    On Friday, Gladiators suffered a huge blow as Nawaz was ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) seventh edition due to an injury.

    Nawaz’s injury was another big setback as earlier pacer Mohammad Husnain was banned.

    After his injury, Nawaz took to Twitter and wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted on leaving my team during @thePSLt20 due to an ankle injury. Now I’ll be cheering for #PurpleForce from my home @TeamQuetta.”

    According to reports, Nawaz has suffered a navicular bone nondisplaced fracture.

    Ever since the first PSL edition in 2016, Nawaz has been an instrumental part in Gladiators’ success both with the bat and ball, as well as with some great fielding as well.

    Gladiators are yet to play some crucial PSL matches as Sarfaraz-led side is still struggling to get into the play-offs. They have played five matches and only won two out of them.

    Meanwhile, the former champions will be locking horns with Islamabad today (Saturday) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

  • Sarfaraz Ahmed doesn’t want Shadab Khan to dismiss him in PSL encounter today, Shadab reacts

    Sarfaraz Ahmed doesn’t want Shadab Khan to dismiss him in PSL encounter today, Shadab reacts

    The communication manager of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ibrahim Badees has recently shared that Shadab Khan has never dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed in the history of Pakistan Super League (PSL). The former captain does not want the all-rounder Khan to dismiss him in today’s clash between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.

    Taking to Twitter, Badees wrote: “Shadab Khan has never dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed in the history of HBL PSL. Can the leggie make it today?” Replying to the tweet, Sarfaraz said: “Same he rahne den plz In Shaa Allah. (Let it be the same please.)”

    While Shadab joking replied to Sarfaraz and said: “Kaptan Chalo Allah kary same he rahy laken hum match jeet jain. (Captain, I hope it remains the same but wish that we win today)”.

    Islamabad United currently finds itself at the number two position with one win in two matches. Despite losing the second game, they are confident of winning the third match on Thursday.

    Quetta Gladiators, too, is coming off a defeat at the hands of the Multan Sultans. They currently have one victory in two games and, thus, finds itself at number three on the table.

  • ‘Fixer’: Sarfaraz Ahmed takes a dig at Salman Butt

    ‘Fixer’: Sarfaraz Ahmed takes a dig at Salman Butt

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfaraz Ahmed responded to former cricketer Salman Butt’s criticism by calling him a ‘fixer’.

    Following Quetta Gladiators’ defeat against Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), Butt heavily criticised Sarfaraz and his behaviour towards players. During the course of the game, the Gladiators’ skipper was seen lashing out at his bowlers in the crunch moments of the game.

    This didn’t go down well with Butt as he questioned Sarfaraz’s performance in the recent past. He even said that the wicket-keeper must focus on his performance and leave other players alone.

    Taking to Twitter, Sarfaraz said: “Pakistan ko on duty beachne wala fixer jub niyat pe bhashan dega phir to Allah he Hafiz hai. (If the one who sold Pakistan on duty is giving lectures, then only God can protect) #justsaying.”

    For the unversed, Butt, alongside Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, was found guilty of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test in 2010. Butt was leading Pakistan in the game and faced massive backlash for his disgraceful actions. The trio was subsequently banned and their career came to a standstill. While Amir did manage to make a comeback in 2016, Butt and Asif couldn’t do so.

  • Shadab Khan admits he provoked Sarfaraz Ahmed to scold cricketers on field

    Shadab Khan admits he provoked Sarfaraz Ahmed to scold cricketers on field

    Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan has recently admitted in an interview that he used to provoke former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed to scold cricketers when they were fielding.

    Shadab recently appeared on Hum News’ Morning Show and talking about his favourite captain Sarfaraz, he shared: “He (Sarfaraz) used to get angry during the field. Not only on Babar but any player who did not put effort in the field, I used to go to Saifi Bhai (Sarfaraz) as I mostly fielded beside him and tell him to scold the players.”

    Wicket-keeper-batter Sarfaraz is famous for his temper. The former captain has often received criticism for his strict on-field conduct even as Pakistan’s skipper, dishing out swear words to his teammates. But the right-handed batter had earlier defended his actions, stating that what happens on the field is restricted to it and not beyond that.

    Shadab recently opened up to his fans during a question-and-answer (Q&A) session on Twitter and spoke about a wide range of topics, including cricket and his teammates.

    Khan also revealed that his favourite captain for the seventh edition of the PSL would be former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz, who is playing for Quetta Gladiators.

    He also revealed that Sarfraz is the one who gave him his nickname Shaddy.

  • Shadab Khan on Sarfaraz, Rizwan, reveals favourite wicket-keeper

    Shadab Khan on Sarfaraz, Rizwan, reveals favourite wicket-keeper

    Pakistan’s young all-rounder Shadab Khan recently hosted a question and answer (Q&A) session on Twitter and opened up about several things like his favourite wicket-keeper, talked about his marriage, Pakistan Super League (PSL) and wicket-keeper-batters Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan.

    Khan hosted the session and asked fans to use the hashtag #AskShadab, and as soon as the clock struck 9pm, Twitterati flooded the cricketer’s timeline with their questions.

    #AskShadab also became the top trend in Pakistan within an hour.

    Fans had several questions about PSL, with a user seeking Khan’s opinion on whether Shaheen Shah Afridi could lead the Lahore Qalandars or not.

    At this, Khan said that Shaheen can “absolutely” lead the Qalandars.

    Abdul Wahab asked which franchise would Khan choose if given the choice. He responded that he would always pick Islamabad United unless they decide to release him.

    Khan also revealed that his favourite captain for the seventh edition of the PSL would be former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who is playing for Quetta Gladiators.

    A fan asked why did Khan, at times, adopts a rude attitude on the field, “especially with juniors, and in the PSL”.

    At this, Khan said he “never” acted rudely and that juniors were his brothers.

    As everyone at the national team calls Shadab “Shaddy”, a fan asked who started calling him that? He replied: Saifi Bhai (Sarfaraz).

    Journalist Imran Siddique asked Khan why did he still call Sarfaraz “kaptaan” despite him not being in command anymore.

    At this, Khan said that Sarfaraz had taught him how to lead, how to look after his team, how to fight for his country, and his teammates.
    “My teacher will always be my captain,” he said.

    A similar question was asked about Mohammad Rizwan, and in response, Khan termed the wicket-keeper-batter a “champion”.

    He also termed Rizwan as number one wicket-keeper.

    Batsman Sharjeel Khan asked the all-rounder when was he planning to tie the knot. In response, Shadab said: “Sharjeel bhai Aap he baat kaar lain ab number send karta houn” [I am sending you the number Sharjeel bhai. Speak on my behalf]”.

    Khan termed skipper Babar Azam as number one.

  • Sarfaraz Ahmed smitten by Hania Aamir’s acting in ‘Ishqiya’, quotes romantic dialogue from ‘Parizaad’

    Sarfaraz Ahmed smitten by Hania Aamir’s acting in ‘Ishqiya’, quotes romantic dialogue from ‘Parizaad’

    Leading cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed has appreciated actress Hania Aamir for her performance in blockbuster drama serial, Ishqiya costarring Feroze Khan.

    Hania Amir Official - How was the today episode of drama #Ishqiya | Facebook

    In a recent interview in which the Pakistani athletes had to comment on local celebrities, Sarfraz stated that the Anaa star impressed him with her performance in the romantic drama.

    Whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi didn’t recognise her and said that maybe she is Mahira Khan.

    The former captain also penned a dialogue from the hit drama Parizaad starring Ahmed Ali Akbar on his Instagram stories.

  • PCB announces squads for Windies tour, Hassan rested, Sarfaraz dropped

    PCB announces squads for Windies tour, Hassan rested, Sarfaraz dropped

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for West Indies tour to Pakistan. Pacer Hassan Ali has been given a rest and wicket keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed has been dropped from the squad.

    Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim have been dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad along with Sarfaraz.

    Sarfaraz, who was a late inclusion in Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, didn’t play in the tournament but got a chance in Pakistan’s previous series against Bangladesh, where he scored six. For more than two years, he has rarely found an opportunity to play in the eleven.

    Similarly, Shoaib Malik, who played some handy knocks in the middle order for the team in the recently-concluded World Cup, was dismissed for a duck in the only batting opportunity in Bangladesh.

    “As we have been playing T20Is since October and now have a pretty settled and balanced side, we have decided to reduce the number of players to 15. As such, we have not included Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said.

    “In consultation with Hasan Ali and taking into consideration that he has been playing non-stop cricket since returning from a back injury, we have decided to give him time off from this series,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Hassan has also been rested for the ODI series, while Sarfaraz has not found favour in the 50-over setup either. Along with the duo, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali, who were a part of the side that played in England, have been dropped. In turn, the selectors have included Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr for the three ODIs against West Indies, which will be a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

    T20I Squad: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (Wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.

    The Windies will be landing in Pakistan on December 9, while the series is set to be starting from December 13.

  • Pakistani cricketers wish Babar Azam on his birthday

    Pakistani cricketers wish Babar Azam on his birthday

    Pakistani cricketers and cricketing fraternity wished the captain of Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, on his birthday.

    Taking to Twitter, Safaraz wrote: “Happy birthday bobby. Celebrating another year of your life with health and happiness. I hope your birthday is a great occasion and I wish you all the very best! You’re a shining star ! Keep making Pakistan proud brother Be strong like your cover drive and on drive.”

    While pacers Hassan Ali and Haris Rauf — among others — wished the captain on social media.

    Born in Lahore and a first cousin of the Akmal brothers, Azam made his way up through age-group cricket. His journey began at an under-15 world championship in 2008 and he played two under-19 World Cups in 2010 and 2012, where he was Pakistan’s top run-scorer.

    He is currently in the 10th position in the list of highest run-getters in men’s T20 internationals, having scored 2,204 runs in 56 innings at an average of 46.89. While he is the number two Twenty20 batsman worldwide as of September 2021 with 819 points.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team has left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the T20 World Cup.

    Taking to Twitter, Babar wrote: “Off to UAE. Your support means more than anything. Stand by your team. Keep supporting. Keep praying. Keep believing. #PakistanZindabad.”