Sarfaraz could have replaced Rizwan in second Test against Sri Lanka: Afridi

In the last three Test matches, Mohammad Rizwan has scored 0, 19, 40, 24, and 37. His form has deteriorated and perhaps resting him was the way to revive it, according to Afridi

PHOTO: FILE

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has claimed that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have players ready to step up if anyone from the playing XI needs to be replaced.

Afridi, while talking to a media outlet, claimed that having strong back-ups will eventually force the playing XI players to perform to the best of their abilities.

Additionally, the all-rounder claimed that if Mohammad Rizwan hasn't been performing then maybe Sarfaraz Ahmed could have been given an opportunity instead during the Sri Lanka tour.

"You have to keep pressure. The stronger the bench is, the more careful the player will be about his performance. Rizwan hasn’t been performing, and I believe that on tours like this, Sarfaraz could have been given an opportunity," Afridi claimed.

In the last three Test matches, Mohammad Rizwan has scored 0, 19, 40, 24, and 37. His form has deteriorated and perhaps resting him was the way to revive it, according to Afridi.

While talking about Sarfaraz, Afridi addressed the bias of cities and the infamous Karachi-Lahore rivalry in Pakistan cricket.

“The biases about cities is going on for a long time now. Someone will say, ‘this guy is from Karachi, or this guy is from Lahore’ (while talking about selection in the team). I don’t think these things should happen. Insaan ke bacche ban jayen to behtar hai,” Afridi added.

Last month, the same question was posed to PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja who completely disregarded the line of questioning claiming that it was nothing short of nonsense.