LAHORE – Skipper of Quetta Gladiators and Pakistan cricket captain ,Sarfraz Ahmad said those foreign players who backed out of their commitmentof visiting Pakistan to play the semi finals of the third edition of thePakistan Super league should not be a part of players draft of the nextedition of the mega event.
“It is not fair on part of such foreign players to back out of theircommitment at the last minute as they were ready to come to Pakistan”, hetold media men at a conference on the eve of the histeams match against Peshawar Zalmi here on Monday evening at Gadafffistadium. Make shift captain of Peshawar ,Muhammad Hafeez was also present.
Sarfraz said he is saddened as the top most foreign players of his Quettahave opted not to visit Pakistan which is a set back for his team ahead ofthe crucial tie.
He also urged the franchisers of the teams not to include such players inthe respective squads who did not keep their words. “But we cannot forceforeign players to visit Pakistan , nor Pakistan cricket Board or thefranchisers can do so but it is the moral duty of players to fulfill theircommitments and they should give importance to Pakistan and its cricket”,he asserted.
“Without out our key overseas player Jason Roy, Kevin Peterson, ShaneWatson and Ben Laughlin we will be not a full strength side, but in theprevailing circumstances we will be re-selecting our squad to exhibit anall round performance to move into the final”, he said.
The termed the plays off against Zalmi a tough and challenging task andsaid it is hard to fill the void of our foreign players.
“Now all eyes are focused on our young local players whose role will bevery important in the match and I am confident that our players will riseto the occasion for a best possible performance”,he said.“Our performance in the last two matches were not good but we will beforgetting all that and also the absence of the foreign players to show aperformance which could lead us to the final”, said Sarfraz.
Zalmi make shift captain, Muhammad Hafeez expressed the optimism that histeam will demonstrate a higher level of game to brighten its chances forreaching the final.
He said Zalmi and Quetta performed good in the PSL league matches but histeam showed excellent performance in the last two matches to create winningstreak which is quite vital for lifting his team’s performance.
“We will be playing our play off with momentum and winning streak whichhave infused confidence in the players and we are ready for a similarperformance in tomorrow, Tuesdays match “,he said adding“In my opinion there is no shortcoming in our side and we are not underpressure as we gained confidence by striking victories in our last twomatches”.
Hafeez showered praise on veteran batsman, Kamran Akmal and termed hisinnings in the two matches ‘match winning’.
“He played outstandingly and led the side to victory and we expectconsistency from him in our next game”, said the former Pakistan captain. -APP