Sarfaraz Ahmed should retire from Test cricket: Ramiz Raja

Pakistan’s former opener-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja, in a Youtube video on Tuesday, claimed that former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed should retire from Test cricket after the wicketkeeper-batsman was seen performing his duties as the 12th man in the first Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester.

The 57-year-old believed that Sarfaraz should focus on the limited-overs format which suits his skillset.

“In my book, I am clear once you have been captain and remained on a pedestal then it is very difficult to come down and be on the bench,” Raja said on the Youtube channel, Cricket Baaz.

“I would advise Sarfaraz to think about it and retire from Test cricket and just focus on white-ball cricket, a format in which he is very good and known for his aggression,” he added.

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Raja claimed that the 12th man duties were frowned upon in Pakistan and the limited-overs format would provide a respectable environment for the former skipper.

 “There is nothing wrong with that because even James Anderson carried drinks when he didn’t play in the second Test against West Indies. But in our cricket culture these things are not looked upon nicely and if they involve a former captain,” he said.

“I don’t see him getting a chance in the Test format soon so he should focus on white-ball cricket where he will play and be respected as well. He being in the Test squad also adds pressure on Mohammad Rizwan who knows there is a former captain keeper breathing down his neck and that is not good for him. I think Sarfaraz should not be on the bench. He should call it a day from Test cricket,” he added.

Raja believed that the Men in Green had the ability to bounce back into the series especially since England would not be enjoying the services of one of the greatest all-rounders in the modern game Ben Stokes for the remainder of the ongoing series.

 “Stokes is the world’s top all-rounder with bat and ball and a game-changer. I think Pakistan can definitely take advantage of the situation. It is frustrating to digest the defeat after having dominated the Test for majority sessions,” he said.

“I was surprised Jos Butler, who was under pressure to get runs, to keep his place in the England team and Chris Woakes, who is primarily a tailender, were not tested by short-pitched balls and the fast bowlers. Even the field settings for them when Yasir (Shah) was bowling were not good enough,” he concluded.