Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz says he idolises Dhoni

[Raftaar]

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed on Sunday said that he would love to play the role of a finisher like Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni.

“I follow him a lot. The way he’s making a difference with wicket-keeping and batting, I try to learn a lot from him. He’s a very good cricketer for India, and I idolise him. Hope I too will be able to finish the match like him,” Sarfraz said.

Having impressed both with the bat and as a wicketkeeper, Sarfraz wants to be an utility player.

“It’s great to be here. About my batting order, I play according to my team’s need, be it up or lower down the order. I’ve been doing well,” said the Pakistani U-19 World Cup winning skipper.

However, Sarfraz rued Pakistan’s forgettable outing at Asia Cup but said they’ve plugged the gaps and hoped to make an impact in the World Twenty20.

“The condition was difficult in Bangladesh. Every team faced the situation in initial six overs. We have sorted this out. The condition will be similar to Pakistan here. Hope we will do well here,” he said.

Pakistan begins its main tournament campaign against group A qualifiers (Bangladesh or Oman) on March 16.

Pakistani legendary duo of Imran Khan and Wasim Akram will the team a pep-talk ahead of their World Twenty20 campaign.

Pakistani speedster Wahab Riaz said it would give the side a boost. “I’m getting goose bumps hearing this. Imran has won the World Cup and Wasim Akram what a legendary bowler he was. They’re legends it will really help us.”

Asked about his breathtaking spell against Shane Watson in retaliation to the Aussies sledges during the 2015 World Cup quarterfinals, Riaz said that was of different intensity.

“It was in a do-or-die game. We had to take our chances and the wickets in Australia were supportive. The best thing for a pacer is rhythm should be going. Being in a knockout, it was fearless from our perspective and some words were exchanged. We did really well on that,” he said.

 

[Imad.Khan]

After Gilchrist, Dhoni has been the best wicket-keeper/Batsman in my opinion

 

[Jungibaaz]

That's because Dhoni is excellent, he can bat well, and across formats, he's a brilliant wicket keeper, he's a good strategist and captain, always keeps his cool too.

 

[Imad.Khan]

After Gilchrist, Dhoni has been the best wicket-keeper/Batsman in my opinion

And Sangakarra

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

And Sangakarra

But he left keeping long back to improve his batting, which he did by leaps and bound. So did Baz.

 

[Kambojaric]

Sarfaraz should be groomed as our next captain in all formats imo. He has performed consistently (including in PSL with Quetta) and has a mature personality, fitting of a captain. He would do well to learn from the likes of dhoni.