Pakistan Star Makes Shocking Claim, Says He Asked Coach To Drop Him From Playing XI For Sarfaraz Ahmed. WATCH

Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has been an irregular member of the national team since 2019, performed tremendously in his comeback Test series and was adjudged Player of the series.

The team management decided to replace Rizwan with out-of-favor Sarfaraz Ahmed in playing XI for New Zealand Tests.

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Pakistan's wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has made a shocking claim by revealing that he himself asked coach and captain that he should be dropped from playing XI for Pakistan vs New Zealand home Test series, and suggested the name of Sarfaraz Ahmed as his replacement.

There were doubts over Mohammad Rizwan's place in Test cricket after his disastrous outing in Test series against England. The team management decided to replace Rizwan with out-of-favor Sarfaraz Ahmed in playing XI for New Zealand Tests.

Sarfaraz, who has been an irregular member of the national team since 2019, performed tremendously in his comeback Test series and was adjudged Player of the series for scoring three match-winning fifties and a ton against Kiwis in two Tests.

"You can ask the head coach Saqlain Mushtaq what I told him after the end of the England Test series. I was happy to see Sarfaraz perform because that is what I wanted. I personally thought that since I wasn’t able to perform, I didn’t deserve to play in the next series," Rizwan told Cricket Pakistan.

"Sarfaraz has been performing in domestic and deserves his chance now. So I was happy to see Sarfaraz perform because I asked for his inclusion. Whoever performs best for Pakistan deserves to play."

Mohammad Rizwan confirms he told the captain and coach to drop him for the New Zealand Tests and play Sarfaraz Ahmed as he had been working really hard for a place in the team. #HBLPSL8pic.twitter.com/TQJy8scL15

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 9, 2023

In the Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series, Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 335 runs at an excellent average of 83.75 and was the highest run scorer in the series.

Both Rizwan and Sarfaraz Ahmed will return to action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, starting from 13th February. While Rizwan will be seen playing for Multan Sultans, Sarfaraz will represent Quetta Gladiators in the tournament.