Sarfaraz Ahmed hopeful of leading Pakistan in the World Cup 2019

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is currently serving a four-match ban for his racist comments targeted towards South African cricketer Andile Phehlukwayo, is hopeful that he will be at the helm of the team in the upcoming ICC World Cup in England. In his place, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik captained Pakistan in the fourth and fifth ODI and the ongoing T20I series against the Proteas.

On Sunday, Sarfaraz told reporters that he is getting a positive response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with regards to holding the leadership position heading into the World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batsman also tried to explain his side of the story in the controversy, saying that the media was only concentrating on one faction.

“The decision is with the Pakistan Cricket Board, but I have got positive vibes about it that I will be the captain for the World Cup,” Sarfraz told reporters in Karachi.

“Only one word was played up in the media. He (Phehlukwayo) told me that I used wrong words about his mother, but I told him that being a Muslim we believe that whatever success we achieve it’s because of our mother’s prayers and that I did not use the words in the wrong context,” the 31-year-old added.

Won’t change himself

When asked if he will reduce the chatter from behind the stumps, Sarfaraz stated that since it is in his nature to be aggressive and do a lot of chatter, that will be hard to change, “My nature won’t ever change and all those who have covered me since I played at club level know it very well,” he said. “I do the captaincy like that, I talk a lot behind the stumps.”

The captain of the Men in Green also said that since World Cup will coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, the team will have God’s luck by their side. “Ramadan is always good for the Pakistan team whether it’s 1992 World Cup or the Champions Trophy,” Sarfaraz expressed.

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