Reports: Sarfaraz Ahmed set to be recalled for Bangladesh T20Is

If 2019 was bad for Pakistan cricket, then it was utterly disastrous for Sarfaraz Ahmed. The former Pakistan captain not only struggled with the bat and his fitness but also failed to inspire his team as a captain. The year started with the poor tour of South Africa where Pakistan lost all the three series – Test, ODI and T20I.

It was followed by losses of 5-0 and 4-0 in ODIs at the hands of Australia and England respectively. Pakistan’s fortunes didn’t change in World Cup either as they exited the competition at the league stage. The win in the ODI series against Sri Lanka at home brought some respite before the Islanders sensationally whitewashed the Men in Green in the subsequent three-match T20I series.

And that defeat against Sri Lanka turned out to be the last nail in the coffin as Pakistan sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of all the three formats. He was replaced by Babar Azam and Azhar Ali as the T20I and Test captain respectively. Not only that, but Pakistan also dropped him from the team for the tour of Australia as well as the recent Test series against Sri Lanka at home.

T20 lifeline for Sarfaraz:

The new year looks set to start on a good note for Sarfaraz Ahmed as the out-of-favor former Pakistan captain could make a sensational return to his country’s T20I side in the coming days. According to Pakistani journalist Arfa Feroz Zake, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman is in line to return to the T20I side for the home series against Bangladesh next month.

The journalist reported that Pakistan team-management is contemplating recalling Sarfaraz due to the poor form of Mohammad Rizwan in T20Is. He further stated that Sarfaraz has been recalled for a fitness test, tweeting, “Sarfaraz Ahmed expected to be included as WicketKeeper in T20 series versus Bangladesh in Jan 2020. After M Rizwan being not so impressive in T20s, Management has considered former captain. Sarfaraz called for fitness test on 6,7Jan in NCA Lahore. Team to gather in Lahore on 5Jan”

Sarfaraz Ahmed expected to be included as WicketKeeper in T20 series versus Bangladesh in Jan 2020. After M Rizwan being not so impressive in T20s, Management has considered former captain. Sarfaraz called for fitness test on 6,7Jan in NCA Lahore. Team to gather in Lahore on 5Jan

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 30, 2019