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Sarfraz Ahmed: The invincible cricketer

Sarfraz Ahmed is like a breath of fresh air for Pakistan cricket. A diminutive player from Karachi has all the qualities to take Pakistan to new heights. The greatness of a player is known by his ability to rise against the odds and Sarfraz has done it several times recently. His humble background has helped him to refrain from politics and concentrate on the game. He has suffered a lot under coach Waqar Younis but he never let this snubbing affect his performance on the field. 
Sarfraz is full of energy and always maintains a positive attitude, which has won him many admirers around the world. His hard work and top performance earned him captaincy of one-day and Twenty20 teams. Sarfraz also starred in the Pakistan Super League where he guided underdogs Quetta Gladiators to the final twice.
While talking to Khaleej Times during the series against West Indies, he said: "I think it is very important for a captain to develop a good relationship with his teammates."
His ability to handle some of the biggest stars like Kevin Pietersen bodes well for the future of Pakistani cricket. Pietersen hailed him as great human being and a good leader who leads by example. Pietersen was impressed by the wicket-keeper batsman's work ethic.
The foreign players of Quetta refused to go to Pakistan for the PSL final in Lahore and it proved very costly for Sarfraz's team. While addressing the press conference after the final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, he said: "It is really heart-breaking we reached the final twice but failed to lift the trophy. 
"It was more painful this year because we were brilliant during the whole tournament and won some exciting matches on way to Gaddafi Stadium and even in the final we contained Peshawar Zalmi under 150. This is cricket and we have to accept the reality but we will come back stronger next year and will try our best to improve upon this result."  
Sarfraz started his career as a leg-spinner, but later he decided to become a wicket-keeper as he was inspired by
Moin Khan.
The real challenge lies ahead for soft-spoken Pakistan captain from Karachi. He will be leading Pakistan in ODIs and T20s and it will be a test of his leadership and as a player. It will not be a smooth sailing, and to head a side like Pakistan is not an easy task.
Misbah-ul-Haq took the reins of disjointed team after 2010 spot-fixing saga and with his hard work and integrity made it world's best Test side, despite not playing a single match on home soil.
The fixing menace has reared its head again and Misbah is of the opinion that anybody involved in this business should be banned for life.
Pakistan needs players with clean past and Sarfraz is one of them. Critics are of the opinion that Sarfraz is an ideal person to lead the side under current conditions.
- liaqat@khaleejtimes.com