After Pakistan veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed went out of favor, it was Mohammad Rizwan who took over Pakistan's wicketkeeping onus. Ever since he took the responsibility, the 31-year-old showcased absolute class in all three formats of the game, especially in white ball cricket where his average is 49.07 and has scored 25 fifties and a solitary century.
After being dropped from the team, Sarfaraz worked hard on his fitness and made a comeback into the side for the Test series against New Zealand in December 2022-January 2023. Sarfaraz who guided Pakistan to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy, made a brilliant comeback as he won the Player of the Series award for scoring the most number of runs.
A lot of talks have been going around over who should be Pakistan’s first option for the keeper’s spot. After being asked about the bonding between him and Rizwan, the veteran player clarified the air by saying there is no animosity between the two.
"The current Pakistan team is very well united. All the players share a brotherly bond and there is no hate between us," Sarfaraz was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
"There is no hate between me and Rizwan. The hate is just among the people on social media. These people have nothing to do in their life; hence they come to social media and start writing unnecessary things."
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz also featured in the playing XI ahead of Rizwan during Pakistan’s 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka. Sarfaraz however, did not get involved in the Babar Azam versus Virat Kohli debate as the batter said that the Pakistan skipper should be permitted to enjoy the game.
"Just leave Babar Azam. There is no comparison between him and Virat. Virat has been playing cricket for the last 14-15 years. Babar made his debut in 2015. Wait and watch Babar till he plays as much cricket as Virat; he will stand at the same stage. No one plays cover drive and on drive better than Babar. Just let him play and enjoy," Sarfaraz said.