Rawalpindi: Pakistan red ball head coach Sarbaraz Ahmed is confident of former captain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s fitness and performance in the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting later this month.
Speaking at a recent media conference, Sarfaraz praised Rizwan’s commitment to overcome early fitness concerns during the training camp and backed the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman despite natural fluctuations in form.
Rizwan faced fitness issues at the start of the camp but successfully completed his rehabilitation program, earning praise from the head coach for his dedication and progress.
“He had some fitness issues at the beginning of the camp but worked hard on his rehabilitation and showed great progress. He has been excellent and Alhamdulillah, he is fit now,” Sarfaraz said.
Sarfaraz acknowledged that form can vary during a player’s career, but insisted that Rizwan’s experience and consistency made him an invaluable member of the squad ahead of the demanding Test series.
“Form may go up and down as you continue to play, but he is a quality player who will continue to represent Pakistan. It is a challenging series and Rizwan understands what is required. I am sure his performance will benefit the team,” he added.
Asked to identify Pakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the opening Test against the West Indies, Sarfaraz refused to single out any individual, insisting that every player in the 16-man squad should have earned selection on merit.
He stressed that the team management has full confidence in the entire squad and the final playing eleven will be selected according to the conditions and the needs of the team.
“We have a 16-man squad and every player is first-choice. There is no second-choice, so we will field the best playing XI,” he said.
Sarfaraz congratulated Babar Azam after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reappointed Pakistan’s Test captain to succeed Shaun Masood for the upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England.
Expressing confidence in Babar’s leadership, Sarfaraz said the veteran batsman has already proved his worth as captain and is confident that his return to the role will bring success to Pakistan in the long format.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate Babar Azam on his re-appointment as captain. I am sure he has a wealth of experience having already led Pakistan. We all hope that things will go well under his leadership,” he concluded.