PAK vs SL 2019: Sarfaraz Ahmed Feels Pakistan Has the Firepower for World Test Championship

Sarfaraz Ahmed is confident that Pakistan is ready to make an impact in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship after struggling in the longer format of the game for the last two years.

“After in-and-out performances in the last two years since the retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, I think we are now ready to challenge other teams in the World Test Championship,” he said.

Pakistan will first take on Australia in November where they will play two Tests. That will be followed by home Test series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They are currently placed 7th among 12 Test teams in the ICC World Rankings and he admitted that they are not consistent in this format for quite a long time.

“We have struggled after losing Misbah and Younis and we are in a rebuilding process. But now I think our batsmen are ready to fill the gaps and take responsibility,” he said.

Sarfaraz Ahmed further added there are a couple of players who are able to turn the table. Even they have an experienced side as well.

“We have Shaan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail and Babar Azam who have now gone through the grind and can do well at the Test level. There is also a lot of experience now behind Azhar and Asad,” he added.

However, the captain said that Pakistan needed class spinners in Tests who can support Yasir Shah and a couple of fast bowlers to do well as their experienced bowlers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Aamir have stopped playing in the format.

Sarfaraz while leading has seen his team lose the home Test series to Sri Lanka and New Zealand while being thrashed in South Africa. However, their series against Sri Lanka is still in a dilemma. Many Sri Lankan players have thought not to take part due to security issues. Although it is expected the series will be beneficial for both the teams.