Sarfraz Ahmed: “It is good thing for us we are playing the blockbuster match at the start of the World Cup”

Sarfraz Ahmed is Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman who has played 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), six T20 Internationals and 13 Tests.

Sarfraz Ahmed is Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman who has played 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs),  six T20 Internationals and 13 Tests. Criclife correspondent Gaurav Joshi caught up with Sarfraz in Australia ahead of the World Cup cricket 2015.

Excerpts from an interview:

Criclife (CL): Do you prefer opening the batting or batting down the order?

Sarfraz Ahmed (SA): It depends on the team requirement. If they want me to open I will be willing to open, right now I have a middle order spot right now so I’m comfortable with that.

CL: Do the conditions dictate if you open the batting?

SA: No, it pretty much depends on the combinations of the team. It is slightly different batting in Australia because of the bounce. We have just been to New Zealand for ODI series to acclimatise and we have two practise matches here [in Australia] so we are ready to adjust in our own roles in any conditions.

CL: You have a habit of sweeping fast bowlers. On the bouncier Australian wickets, isn’t there any heightened risk in playing that shot ?

SA: If I thought it was a risky shot with the bounce on offer then I would not be playing it. The ball can hit you anywhere, so it’s not amatter of physical risk. Once I feel I’m set, I should be able to execute the shot well against any bowler on any pitch.

CL: If there is injury, would you except Saeed Ajmal to in the World Cup squad?

SA: He is a world class bowler and it is good news for us that Ajmal is now allowed to bowl again. We are pleased if he is needed he is available, but whether he is selected will depend completely on the team management.

CL: Pakistan is hampered with injuries. Is  the expectation lot less back home this time around?

SA: No, not really. Yes, we have had a few injuries. And it’s a tragedy that Junaid Khan, one our main bowlers, has gone down. That has disturbed us a little bit, but our morale is still very high and we still feel whoever is available for selection will be confident and can perform to our expectations.

CL: Is playing India first-up is an advantage?

SA: It is good thing for us we are playing the blockbuster match at the start of the World Cup. It will really give us an indication where we stand as a team against one of the strong nations in the world. I’ve played in India-Pakistan match before and it is great fun. I made my debut in India, so I have experience of playing in the big matches. Without doubt it’s the biggest match of the World Cup after the final, so to have that match first-up is a good exposure for us.

(Gaurav Joshi is an Indian-born Australian who played with Michael Clarke in his junior days. He coaches and reports for a Sydney radio station. Over the years he has freelanced for Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and is a regular on ABC cricket show Cow Corner. He is the author of the book “Teen Thunder Down Under” – The inside story of India’s 2012 U19 World Cup Triumph)