Ramiz Raja explains why Haris has been preferred over Sarfaraz

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has opened up on the selection of young wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris over Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, stating the decision seems justified.

PCB Chairman Ramiz while interacting with cricket fans via ‘PCB Fans Forum with Ramiz’ responded to a question regarding former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz’s selection in the national contingent for the ICC T20 World Cup and stated that the plan is to focus on the future.

The PCB Chairman then acknowledged the services of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz but stressed the team’s future aspirations and hence termed it a ‘difficult decision’.

"It's difficult to drop Sarfraz Ahmed due to his services for Pakistan but we are planning for the future. Haris has been selected in the squad over Sarfaraz by keeping the future plans in mind,” said Ramiz.

“I am not the chief selector but this decision seemed justified to me since Haris is a very talented player,” he maintained.

It is worth noting that before the announcement of the national squad on September 14, various rumours swirled about former captain Sarfaraz being re-inducted into the squad.

The final squad, however, did not feature the 35-year-old wicketkeeper as Haris was included in the reserve players as a concussion replacement to the team’s permanent wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.