SHARJAH: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has said that he has been inspired by team manager and chief selector Moin Khan's cricketing career and achievements.
Sarfraz's batting style has a touch of Moin Khan and he is ready to admit the same.
"I have always followed Moin bhai. Having him in the dressing room has been very useful. I keep learning a few things from him, Waqar bhai and Mushtaq bhai. They keep giving us new insights into the game," said Sarfraz ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand.
The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman wants to repeat the feat of Moin Khan at the 1992 World Cup in the upcoming showpiece event in 2015. But he said that he is not looking too far ahead.
"I am not thinking about the World Cup, because we don't know who will make the side for the World Cup. But I hope that I deliver such performances, which enables us to repeat the feat of 1992 World Cup side and we relive memories of that side," added Sarfraz.
Sarfraz's batting style, especially the way he plays the sweep shot bears resemblance to Moin Khan's. Sarfraz wants to continue playing the shot.
"If I was scared of playing the sweep to fast bowlers, would I play the shot? I have been successful with that and will continue to do so," said Sarfraz.
With Sarfraz playing all three formats, there is bound to some amount of pressure on him but the wicketkeeper-batsman says there is no such burden on him.
"There is no pressure now that I am playing all three formats. I am just thinking about giving good performances as wicketkeeper and batsman," revealed Sarfraz who is ready to bat at any position for the team.
Talking about the first ODI, Sarfraz claimed that the team got a huge boost thanks to the fine rearguard action by Shahid Afridi and Haris Sohail.
"Thanks to Almighty for my good performance. We were focused on putting up a good performance. We are happy with the win. We are taking it match by match. We did well in bowling and batting. Sohail and Shahid bhai's batting especially in the pressure situation was tremendous. The team got a morale boost from the win in the first ODI and is now focused to win the second one-day," added Sarfraz.
Still self-critical about his own dismissal, Sarfraz gave all the credit to the experienced Shahid Afridi and Haris Sohail for reviving the chase.
"I came in at a time in the first ODI when the team needed to step up the tempo. I got out at the wrong time and was disappointed because of that. I am glad that Shahid bhai along with Sohail were able to maintain the tempo and helped the side get the advantage," concluded Sarfraz.
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