As we see Sarfraz sitting in the Quetta dugout looking like a broken shell of a man – you cannot help but wonder how things got so bad for a player who was once the poster boy of Pakistani cricket and could do no wrong.
Sarfraz was earmarked as the future captain of the national team as he lead the Under 19 side to World Cup glory in 2006 in the most dramatic of fashions against the arch-rivals India in the final.
In the 2015 ICC World Cup Sarfraz was selected in the playing XI to score the only Pakistani century of that competition and was being pitched as the saving grace for the Pakistani team as the line “Sarfraz dhoka nahi deyga” resonated in the mainstream and social media.
In 2017 Sarfraz lead the Pakistani side to the ICC Champions Trophy after defeating India in front of a sold-out crowd in South London in the most unlikely of victories.
Leading the Pakistani T20 team to the Number 1 spot in the ICC rankings after winning 11 T20 series back-to-back was just the next in many achievements for Sarfraz Ahmed.
Whether he was singing Mauka Mauka on the roof of his house with hundreds lining the streets of Karachi or whether he was singing nasheeds in the Quetta changing room or whether he was mocking Bilawal Bhutto in press conferences – Sarfraz Ahmed could do no wrong!
However, now it appears that he can do no right.
Every single one of his moves – on and off the field – look like a man in a crisis.
The other PSL captains are currently in the prime of their careers, whilst this is not the case with Sarfraz - and it shows. He is clearly struggling to cope with the pressures of captaincy, wicket -keeping and batting.
His performances have been way below par and his attitude towards his teammates has been a sorry sight to see.
Sarfraz’s inability to take criticism as he lashes out on Twitter further show the mental crisis which he is clearly facing.
His behaviour towards his teammates and how he communicates with his bowlers and fielders has always been a point of contention with many Pakistani fans. However, with every passing day matters seem to get worse
Sarfraz’s body language on the field and in the dugout has been extremely disappointing to see. He looks like a man in desperate need of help.
A man who once charmed everyone with a cheeky smile and a song now looks like he is in a dire state of depression.
If there was ever the need for a sports-psychologist in Pakistani cricket - this is it.
Despite his flaws, the Sarfraz Ahmed we are seeing in PSL 7 is not the Sarfraz Ahmed many Pakistani fans around the world know and love after serving his country for the best part of 16 years.
So, what has gone wrong for Sarfraz? More importantly, what can Sarfraz, Quetta and the PCB do to help him? How much longer will Sarfraz be happy to be water-boy for the national team and what can he do to turn his fortunes around?
Sarfraz was earmarked as the future captain of the national team as he lead the Under 19 side to World Cup glory in 2006 in the most dramatic of fashions against the arch-rivals India in the final.
In 2017 Sarfraz lead the Pakistani side to the ICC Champions Trophy after defeating India in front of a sold-out crowd in South London in the most unlikely of victories.
Leading the Pakistani T20 team to the Number 1 spot in the ICC rankings after winning 11 T20 series back-to-back was just the next in many achievements for Sarfraz Ahmed.
Whether he was singing Mauka Mauka on the roof of his house with hundreds lining the streets of Karachi or whether he was singing nasheeds in the Quetta changing room or whether he was mocking Bilawal Bhutto in press conferences – Sarfraz Ahmed could do no wrong!
However, now it appears that he can do no right.
Every single one of his moves – on and off the field – look like a man in a crisis.
The other PSL captains are currently in the prime of their careers, whilst this is not the case with Sarfraz - and it shows. He is clearly struggling to cope with the pressures of captaincy, wicket -keeping and batting.
His performances have been way below par and his attitude towards his teammates has been a sorry sight to see.
Sarfraz’s inability to take criticism as he lashes out on Twitter further show the mental crisis which he is clearly facing.
His behaviour towards his teammates and how he communicates with his bowlers and fielders has always been a point of contention with many Pakistani fans. However, with every passing day matters seem to get worse
Sarfraz’s body language on the field and in the dugout has been extremely disappointing to see. He looks like a man in desperate need of help.
A man who once charmed everyone with a cheeky smile and a song now looks like he is in a dire state of depression.
If there was ever the need for a sports-psychologist in Pakistani cricket - this is it.
Despite his flaws, the Sarfraz Ahmed we are seeing in PSL 7 is not the Sarfraz Ahmed many Pakistani fans around the world know and love after serving his country for the best part of 16 years.
So, what has gone wrong for Sarfraz? More importantly, what can Sarfraz, Quetta and the PCB do to help him? How much longer will Sarfraz be happy to be water-boy for the national team and what can he do to turn his fortunes around?
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