Sarfraz urges PCB to call back Babar from New Zealand

 Sarfraz urges PCB to call back Babar from New Zealand

Pakistan captain Babar Azam. File photo

ISLAMABAD: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz — widely considered a pioneer of reverse swing — has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to call back Babar Azam from New Zealand in order that he could give his injury a correct time to heal.

Talking to ‘The News’ from London Sunday, Sarfraz said it had been a risky affair to show Babar who is down with a thumb fracture.

“He should be called back immediately from New Zealand and allowed to require proper rest for the forthcoming home series against South Africa . Risking his injury would be dangerous even within the second Test. I even have seen many players who were exposed to competitive cricket prematurely. In any fracture, you would like a minimum of one month to recover fully. Complete healing is that the main requirement for a high-level competition. Babar may be a valuable asset for the national team so proper handling of his injury is need of the hour.”

Sarfraz added that unnecessary haste in fielding Babar against Kiwis could lead on to dangerous consequences for Pakistan.

“Pakistan needs Babar for important series ahead so there's a requirement to permit him proper rest rather exposing him prematurely on bouncy New Zealand tracks where his injury may get even worse just in case he gets successful again.”

Regarding the T20 series loss against New Zealand, Sarfraz said he was surprised to ascertain youngsters’ inability to handle bounce on the pitch.

“After having played on low-bounce tracks in Pakistan, they weren't within the skills to handle bounce on such tracks. I even have played in New Zealand repeatedly so i do know that a batsman requires a correct technique to handle such bounce. Pakistan youngsters are talented but they didn't have learnt specific techniques of playing on such surface. New batsmen require proper grooming for such conditions. i feel no effort was made to form them realise that they might be facing totally different conditions in New Zealand. The team management should have exposed them to such pitches for a minimum of fortnight before starting the tour.”

The former cricketer said the kids had no idea about playing powerplay overs in T20s.

“Losing wickets in powerplay overs is not any wisdom. Wickets in hand offer you an honest platform to launch attacks during remainder of the overs. Pakistan batsmen mishandled the innings twice, leading to two losses.”

Sarfraz also advised the bowlers to know how Tim Southee exploited the conditions.

“He always used the conditions perfectly as within the second T20, his ability to take advantage of Pakistan batsmen’s weaknesses was worth watching.”

“Every country has different conditions and wickets so it's the duty of team management and training staff to organize fresh faces for such conditions.”