news

Don't want 'passionate' Abdullah to play cricket, says Sarfaraz Ahmed

The 34-year old was concerned for his son's future and did not want him to go through the mental pressure and stress that a cricketer goes through in his career

Don't want 'passionate' Abdullah to play cricket, says Sarfaraz Ahmed PHOTO: File

Pakistan's former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed doesn't want his passionate son Abdullah Sarfaraz to play cricket despite his interest in the sport. 

The 34-year old was concerned for his son's future and did not want him to go through the mental pressure and stress that a cricketer goes through in his career.

The wicket-keeper batter made his ODI debut against India in November 2007 at Jaipur but could not make a permanent spot in the team until 2014. Sarfaraz's career has been full of highs and lows, and despite winning the Champions Trophy as a captain in 2017, he was always on the tip of a sword by the critics.

The right-handed batter was stripped of the captaincy in October 2019. Pakistan maintained the number one spot in T20 during his captaincy for over two years. He was recently dropped from the ODI and T20 team for the tour against Australia as youngster Muhammad Haris was preferred over him.

Sarfaraz has been through a lot of pressure and criticism throughout his career, and he does not want his son to grow up and face the same as he did.

"Abdullah is passionate about playing cricket. But, I don't want him to become a cricketer," Sarfaraz said during an interview on a local channel.

"Actually, being a cricketer, I suffered many things that I don't want Abdullah to face. It's human nature. Being a cricketer, I want my brother or son to be selected immediately. Otherwise, it hurts," Sarfaraz concluded.