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Rizwan getting replaced by Sarfaraz Ahmed in Pak vs NZ Test series draws mixed reactions

Rizwan getting replaced by Sarfaraz Ahmed in Pak vs NZ Test series draws mixed reactions

Some netizens think the management is a joke for this decision whilst others are praising the strategy.
26 Dec, 2022

The Babar Azam-Rizwan partnership is something we’ve grown accustomed to and expect because we accept it as the natural order of things. To have that taken away is sure to cause a little kerfuffle. Some netizens are disappointed with the decision to replace the wicketkeeper-batter with Sarfaraz Ahmed while others think it’s the right call to have him rest.

On Monday, day one of the first Test between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand took place in Karachi. The Green Shirts chose to bat first and are currently at 302 runs with four wickets down. The captain has hit his century and he’s still standing. Ahmed entered the game on run 43 and they piled on more with an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership.

While Pakistani Twitter is all praises for Azam, they are still processing Rizwan’s replacement.

For some, acceptance comes easier than others — actor Arslan Naseer is among them.

Some are so impressed with Ahmed’s performance, they want to find a way to keep both him and Rizwan.

Not everyone is as accepting though. Some Twitter users are enraged and think this decision is enough to qualify Pakistani cricket as a “circus”.

They feel that this is a downgrade for the skipper and he should fight for Rizwan.

And then there are some people who think though it was a good call to have Rizwan rest, bringing Ahmed in his place is “debatable”.

Did we go back 10 years?

What are your thoughts on the replacement?

Comments

Anas Dec 26, 2022 05:46pm
About time Sarfaraz made it back into the team - test match requires skill, patience and experience. Rizwan was not making his case and is rightfully dropped - don’t think he has the ability to make it in test matches but should play other formats
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Dec 26, 2022 05:47pm
Sarfaraz Ahmed is a far better player, leader and a team man them Rizwan who plays only for himself. Sarfaraz made an innings saving 86 in the first innings which stabilized the ever struggling Pakistan's batting order which was badly collapsing. We would have never had the whitewash against England if Sarfaraz was in the playing eleven.
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Aamir Latif Dec 26, 2022 05:49pm
Team is devoted on key players with back up plan.. Sarfaraz is past his prime, as a batsmen, he struggles as seen in PSL games.. Not a wise move... by Shahid Afridi to start with, yet he has to prove his capabilities and capacity as chief selector
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AH Dec 26, 2022 05:51pm
Definitely correct decision. Sarfraz should be captain. Made 86 today. Can't see much more runs after sarfraz was out. The tail is utterly useless. Aga, Wasim and Noman need to be replaced as well. Rizwan has been excellent in T20 but is record in odi and tests is not as good
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kaiser wali Dec 26, 2022 06:22pm
good idea.
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kaiser wali Dec 26, 2022 06:23pm
good idea
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shabnam Dec 26, 2022 06:41pm
Sarfaraz is the biggest beneficiary of regime change at national level. Conspiracy unearthed!
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Riaz Dec 26, 2022 06:43pm
Playing Sarfaraz is a good call, however, Rizwan should also be played as a Wicket Keeper Batsman instead rest another Batman and play Sarfaraz in that spot.
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Mr. Quick Response Dec 26, 2022 07:00pm
Sarfaraz is back it is good omen. He needs to keep good and take back captaincy. He is a good captain then Babar.
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matazona Dec 26, 2022 07:16pm
Spot on replacement congratulations to new management for this and Sarfaz give them reply with fighting 86.
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Rafique Dec 26, 2022 07:23pm
It’s ok to give Rizwan rest but don’t make a habit out of him.
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Shahid Dec 26, 2022 07:33pm
Rizwan is a much better wicketkeeper. Sarfraz would always drop catches while keeping to spinners. And the policy of dropping players when they are out of form for a short period is not going to help. Would you drop Abdullah Shafiq too, or would you let him settle in to a top player.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 26, 2022 07:54pm
Sarfraz grabbed the opportunity superbly by scoring 86 runs and in the process, he was instrumental in effecting a 196 runs partnership with Babar, who scored 161 not out on day one of the first test match against New Zealand at the world famous and historic National Cricket Stadium, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Well done green shirts. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Asif Ahmed Dec 26, 2022 07:55pm
The Return of King!!! Sarfraz Ahmed!!! Welcome back Sir!!!
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Jonathan Dec 26, 2022 08:17pm
There should be seperate teams fir T20 ODI and Test matches.
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Taj Ahmad Dec 26, 2022 08:42pm
Sarfraz and Rizwan more like brothers than friends, Rizwan learned a lot from Sarfraz as wickets keeper and he is a good batter in T20 and ODI as well. PCB should keep Sarfraz for test team and Rizwan for T20 and ODI. Also bring in Fahad Alam for test team as well.
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Taj Ahmad Dec 26, 2022 08:57pm
Rizwan fits for T20 and ODI and Sarfaraz fits for Test Team both are good wickets keeper and batsman as well. Please also bring in Fawad Alam for Test team.
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Nasir Dec 26, 2022 09:33pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan come on bro....really??
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Amir Dec 26, 2022 09:34pm
Let's see how Sarfaraz performs in the rest of the series. Can't judge him on one innings.
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Hamid Dec 26, 2022 09:40pm
Every team has a rotation policy, and Pakistan did the right thing to bring in a mix of same, new and old to not only balance the team but the new comers can also learn from the old too. Our so called online pundits need to put a sock in it and let the experts work their magic.
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Aziz Ahmed Dec 26, 2022 09:53pm
Sarfaraz has proved his selection was right. Those who criticize his selection rest assured Rizwan will be back after couple of poor scores by Sarfaraz
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Hasan Dec 26, 2022 10:00pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan very true, selfish rizwan be dropped for good
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Anonymouseee Dec 27, 2022 12:59am
As good of a batsman Rizwan is, his performance in tests hasn’t been upto par. Sarfaraz has proven his selection with his innings so far. So I say it was a good decision.
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Hyra Dec 27, 2022 01:27am
Why babar is so irreplaceable in test format. Why not sarfaraz and rizwan
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Naeem Dec 27, 2022 02:38am
Rizwan t prove that he is suitable for test cricket which requires patience, strategy and planning.He is fine for T-20 perhaps OK for ODI. Hais Rauf should be back up to Sarfaraz in Tests. Leave Rizwan for T-20. In ODI a rotation policy should be established for Rizwan , Harris Rauf and Sarfaraz.
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Naeem Dec 27, 2022 02:42am
@Aamir Latif Shaid Afridi has proved his case. A faltering Pakistan with 4 down at 38 was anchored extremely well by Sarfaraz. I dont think Rizwan could have done that as seen in the England tests, Too bad Sarfaraz missed his century !!!! But a wonderful and mature test cricket performance after 4 years of serving as water boy!!!
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Wahab UK Dec 27, 2022 03:33am
Sarfaraz should permanently feature in test team, Rizwan can play T20 and ODI cricket.
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Chota Dec 27, 2022 04:49am
Najam sethi should be made PM of Pakistan if he is Soo capable
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Jamal Anjum Dec 27, 2022 05:56am
Rizwan is agood batter as well as an efficient keeper. No doubt about it. But for quite some time he is not doing what is expected of him. He needs timeyo recover and regain his confidence. The selection of Sarfraz is genuine and a right selection and his performance ha proved it. Best of luck Sarfraz.
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Ayesha Dec 27, 2022 06:22am
It was right decision
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A Pakistani Dec 27, 2022 06:59am
A good game by Sarfaraz will define his future and his place in the team !
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Riaz Dec 27, 2022 07:12am
What a drama Sarfaz created, acting his injury, one minute he was in aggonh next he was fine batting and then started limping as he almost forgot he had an injury …all for show! This is the way.
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Riaz Dec 27, 2022 07:13am
@Taj Ahmad Fawad Alam……really why not Saeed Anwar?
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Asad Dec 27, 2022 07:23am
Clearly an ace move by the selectors in replacing Rizwan who is in a bad patch and bad form. Everyone needs a break including Rizwan. Sarfaraz is a team player and will clearly rally the troops. I am confident this will be a positive for Pakistan
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Mazher AQ Dec 27, 2022 07:43am
About time Rizwan takes a much needed short rest from tests. He is our No. 1 keeper and Sarfaraz is the best choice to replace him.
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Shahid Dec 27, 2022 09:23am
Rizwan has played many good innings for Pakistan. He is a much better keeper too when keeping to spinners while Sarfraz has always been a poor keeper while facing spinners and the ball would always pop out from his gloves and resulted in dropped catches. Playing one good innings does also not make him a better batsman than Rizwan.
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Hani_Layyah Dec 27, 2022 09:46am
he was clearly being victimised by the internal politics of pcb
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Akram Lahore Dec 27, 2022 10:03am
Sarfraz is only a test player while Rizwan is getting used to test and also he is excellent ODI and t20 player.
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Santhosh Thomas Samuel Dec 27, 2022 12:25pm
Afridi's plan is to make Sarfraz captain again and push Pakistan cricket 10 years back.
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