Why Kamran Akmal Or Sarfaraz Ahmed Are Likely To Replace Mohd. Rizwan In Pakistan’s T20 Squad After PSL 5

Here is a look at why either Kamran Akmal or Sarfaraz Ahmed are likely to replace Mohd. Rizwan in Pakistan’s T20 squad following the conclusion of PSL 5.

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Better Batsmen For The Format

Both Kamran Akmal and Sarfaraz Ahmed have shown decent progress with the bat so far during PSL 5. Kamran is by far the best batsman of the three and since he opens the innings; Pakistan might want to make use of his experience because they are looking for someone to partner Babar Azam up the order. However, the flip side is that he is 38 years of age and has a pretty poor track record behind the stumps especially, at the international level.

Sarfaraz on the other hand is certainly not as good a batsman as Kamran and most definitely not a better keeper than Rizwan. Nonetheless, he still bats better than Rizwan in the format and is for sure, a better bet behind the stumps than Kamran. So, Sarfaraz can still be adjusted at the number four position – something that will allow the selectors more depth to their feeble batting order. Also the 32 year old has a good working relationship with skipper Babar Azam who could benefit from the former skipper’s experience in the middle.

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Mohd. Rizwan Struggling To Keep His Place For The Kings

As of now, Mohd. Rizwan is not really an automatic choice for his franchise i.e. Karachi Kings. While the 27 year old is arguably the best wicket-keeper batsman in the country; his batting style is not quite what you want in the T20 format. Also playing him in the format might as well negatively affect his form in the other two formats where is actually doing well. Hence, there seems little harm in recalling either Sarfaraz or Kamran for the shortest format of the game.

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Misbah’s Habit Of Revamping

Misbah-ul-Haq has revamped the T20 squad three times so far i.e. on as many occasions as he has announced one after taking over the prestigious positions of the head coach and the chief selector!

So, there is this good possibility of either Kamran Akmal or Sarfaraz Ahmed making it to Pakistan’s T20 squad the next time it is announced by PCB; given that both of them continue to show form and fitness during the ongoing PSL 5.