ENG vs PAK 1st Test 2020: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Ex-Pakistan Captain, Carry Drinks; Netizens Slam Team Management for ‘Disrespect’ Towards Senior Player
Some great contest between the bat and the ball was witnessed in the first two days of England vs Pakistan 1st Test. Apart from cricket action, however, the match is making headlines for the services of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. With Mohammad Rizwan donning the wicket-keeping gloves, Sarfaraz didn’t get a place in the playing XI at the Old Trafford in Manchester. However, the 33-year-old bagged a lot of attention when he carried drinks and shoes for his teammates. Many fans weren’t amused seeing the veteran wicket-keeper playing the role of ‘waterboy’ as they to social media and lashed out at the Pakistan team management. Pakistan vs England Live Score 1st Test Day 3.
Sarfaraz, who played his last international match back in October 2019, was terminated as the skipper of the national team in all three formats and was also dropped from the squad. He made a comeback in the ongoing series but didn’t get to play the first match and just like regular benched players, the wicket-keeper was seen carrying the drinks for Shan Masood. This was, however, not the first time when senior a player has played the role of ‘water boy.’ The likes of Ricky Ponting, David Warner and Virat Kohli have also carried drinks for their teammates. However, netizens weren’t impressed seeing Ahmed in the role as they heavily criticized Misbah-ul-Haq and others support staff. Shan Masood Becomes First Pakistan Opener to Score a Test Century in England Since Saeed Anwar in 1996.
Fans Are Irked!!
#SarfarazAhmed#Jeddah#SindhIsNotColonyIK#Saudi_Arabia#Karachi
Un logo ko sharam aani chahye jo Sarfaraz se joooty uthwa rahe hai, Maine kabhi nahi dekha k senior player/Captain jooty utha rha hoo, This type of behavior with a captain who won us Champion trophy is very Bad. pic.twitter.com/PlL0x1s0kA— Mudassar Saani (@MudassarSaani7) August 7, 2020
Disrespect!!
Very hard too see former Pakistani Captain in this situation
Safi Bhai love you , you are a true leader#SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/03Yt4AvtxU— SaaD Khan (@SaaDKha42757258) August 7, 2020
Shameful?
This is Shameful He has won Champions trophy #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/aBh8OmiVjX
— TAUSIQ SHAH (@tausiq_shah) August 7, 2020
More Criticism!!
Show some respect tobour captain... #SarfarazAhmed
— Abdul Rehman Arain (@Abdulspeaks01) August 7, 2020
Another One!!
#SarfarazAhmed is bringing shoes and water for players in #PAKvENG test series. Team management must maintain protocol for the senior players and show some respect. This is totally unfair. They have so many juniors in the 16 member team but still this. Shame on such attitude. pic.twitter.com/SVxLnuThDv
— Mazhar Azad (@AzaadQaidi) August 7, 2020
Fans Bashing Team Management!!
Shame on you @TheRealPCBMedia @waqyounis99 @YounusK75 @captainmisbahpk @Mushy_online from being so pathetic... the gesture u guys sent to world by putting sarfaraz ahmed as a 12th man and bring water and shoes on the field whereas as he should be in playing 11
— Syed Mustafa (@iamMustafaMehdi) August 7, 2020
Coming to the game, Pakistan are well placed on the driver’s seat after the first two days. Courtesy a sensational century by Shan Masood (156) and a crucial fifty by Babar Azam (69), the visitors posted 326 runs while batting first. In reply, the Pakistan pacers breathed fire with the new ball and rattled England’s top order. However, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler did some repair work as England ended day 2 at 92/4, still trailing by 234 runs.
