Pakistan’s legendary former fast-bowler Wasim Akram, during commentary in the third One-day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, claimed that captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was not suitable for the middle-order role.

The former captain believed that Sarfaraz would be an ideal candidate for the lower-order in Pakistan’s batting line-up.

"Sarfaraz Ahmed is not a suitable player to play in the middle order. He is a lower order player and should bat at number six or seven position," Akram said.

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Pakistan’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq, in the past, has been vocal about his desire to have Sarfaraz bat at the number five spot in the national side. During an interview before the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, the former captain stated that Sarfaraz needed to take more responsibility in the batting department.    

“Sarfaraz should take more responsibility in batting department and come in to bat at number five position,” said Misbah while talking during a Ramadan cricket tournament in Karachi.

Sarfaraz had also announced, before leaving for 2019 ICC World Cup, that he would be batting in the top five positions of the batting order.

"We will change our batting order in England,” Sarfaraz said during a press conference. “I will bat in the above positions, top five, and Shoaib Malik will come at six.”

However, this strategy could not come to fruition as the captain batted in various different positions throughout the mega event according to the circumstances.