Pakistan T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed
Dubai - This has clearly been a new Pakistan under Sarfraz
Published: Mon 26 Sep 2016, 7:28 PM
Updated: Mon 26 Sep 2016, 9:44 PM
As September and the harsh summer winds down, a new era is taking shape for Pakistan T20 cricket in the UAE desert. Hopefully, it should go the distance and doesn't turn out to be just a mirage.
It is hard to remember when was the last time the Pakistan team looked so dominant in the format like it is doing now under Sarfraz Ahmed. For that, one may have to dig into scores of statistical data to find the answer.
Pakistan last won a three-match T20 series in the UAE four years ago with the margin being 2-1 against the touring Australians. That came in the early part of Mohammed Hafeez's two-year stint as captain.
But then, there has been a truly massive difference between 2012 and now. For starters, only two players - Shoaib Malik and Sohail Tanvir - remain from that class of 2012.
This is a new and young team under the leadership of Sarfraz, who is turning out to be not just a motivator of men, but also an astute captain.
He has slipped into the role quite naturally right from his Under-19 days when he led the side to victory against India in the final of the World Cup in 2006. The stint with the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) served as the perfect audition for the role.
Perhaps, it is only a matter of time that he will assume the role in the ODI set-up, especially since Azhar Ali is under a bit of pressure to retain the spot. Also, he could be groomed to take over as Test captain as and when Misbah-ul-Haq calls it a day.
But for now though, Sarfraz has the small matter of completing a clean sweep against the West Indies, a result none would have envisaged, especially against the format's world champions.
This has clearly been a new Pakistan, under Sarfraz, with a new ethos. There is camaraderie, each one is backing the other, they are hungry on the field, and their body language and intensity has to be seen to be believed.
This has been a totally different Pakistan from the ones previously and the world beckons for this bunch of lads.
Two commanding wins in Dubai, they now head into what is a dead rubber at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night. The series may be already in the bag but Sarfraz vowed that there would be no let-up from their side.
"We definitely will not relax. Instead, we will be a lot more focussed. We have built up an image of the team and we will try that with the same kind of consistency, we will take the team forward," said Sarfraz.
"We are trying to develop consistency in the team and we are repeatedly telling the boys that after one performance, we have to go on to another and not just sit on those performances," he added.
Pakistan have only one win to show in their previous four visits to the UAE capital and Sarfaz and his men would like to change that equation a bit.
Meanwhile, the West Indies are smarting after the twin defeats in Dubai and their reputation as the world champions and the best T20 side in the world, having taken a battering.
And they would look to arrest that and pick up the pieces in Abu Dhabi. A victory to finish it off will be a soothing balm to the pain.
The last time Pakistan played a three-match T20 series in the UAE, they were blanked by England. This time though, a similar score in their favour is there for the taking.
james@khaleejtimes.com
E-Paper
Sign In
0°C 
