Ready to play in any format, shares good bond with Babar Azam: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Former Pakistan captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, has opened up about his strong bond with current skipper, Babar Azam. 

While speaking in an interview with a local media channel, Sarfaraz reflected on his time spent with Pakistan captain overs the past few years, and expressed his satisfaction with the relationship he shares with Babar.

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"I have had the privilege of spending quality time with all the players, including Babar Azam, over the past four to five years," Sarfaraz said.

"As a professional cricketer, I believe in being prepared to play in any format, my constant endeavor is to maintain my fitness and form, ensuring that I am ready to seize any opportunity that comes my way, irrespective of the format," he added.

Sarfaraz also reminisced about his experiences with tape-ball cricket, expressing his passion for the popular street version of the game. 

He nostalgically recalled playing cricket on roads and on cement wickets, revealing his deep connection to the grassroots form of the sport. 

The 36-year-old expressed delight in witnessing the widespread popularity of tap ball cricket which originated in Karachi and has now spread across the globe. 

"My heart had a strong desire to play tape ball cricket, considering my background. However, the playing conditions here are different. In my early days, we used to play cricket on roads and on cement wickets," Sarfaraz said.

"It brings me immense pleasure to see how tap ball cricket, which originated in Karachi, has now gained popularity worldwide. The festival of tape-ball cricket has been elevated by the participation of teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, making it a truly global phenomenon," he maintained.

"The trend of both hard-ball and tape-ball cricket has significantly grown in the United States. Various leagues are being organized, in which a large number of Pakistan cricketers are welcome to participate," he concluded.