Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has offered guidance to senior batters Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal ahead of the Champions One-Day Cup, set to take place from September 12 to 29 at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium.
Both Shehzad and Akmal, once integral to the national team, last appeared for Pakistan in a 2019 home T20I series against Sri Lanka, where their performances were disappointing.
Shehzad scored just 4 and 13 runs, while Akmal registered consecutive golden ducks, leading to their exclusion from the team.
Recently, Shehzad announced his decision to boycott the upcoming tournament, sparking further uncertainty about the future of both players.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, who will be mentoring the Dolphins during the Champions Cup, addressed the situation, urging Shehzad and Akmal to decide their commitment to the game.
“They need to decide if they truly want to continue playing cricket,” Sarfaraz stated, emphasizing that their immense talent was never in question, but their motivation now remains key.
Sarfaraz also stressed the importance of balancing seniority and youth in cricket, noting that senior players play a pivotal role in guiding younger teammates, while juniors must earn their place through consistent performance.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has enlisted five former players, including Sarfaraz, as mentors for the tournament, which will feature teams like the Dolphins, Lions, Panthers, Stallions, and Wolves, marking a critical event in the 2024-25 domestic cricket season.