LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has disclosed his future as a player after being named as the mentor of the Dolphins side for the Champions One-Day Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Faisalabad from 12-29 September.
Out of the five mentors announced for the Champions Cup, Sarfaraz is the most active Pakistan player. The 37-year-old described this as a great learning opportunity for him and confirmed that he would be available for domestic and international duties.
"This is a great opportunity for me. It’s also a chance for me to learn. I will strive to bring forward good players who can represent Pakistan," he said in a presser.
"I will be available for the Pakistan team. When I will have domestic duties, I will fulfil them. Whenever I am selected, I will be available.
"With time, everything will fall into place. Right now, I feel I can still play. I will continue to play as long as I can," he added.
Pakistan recently slumped to a 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh and Sarfaraz has asked fans to support.
"My message to the fans is that this Pakistan team will make a comeback. Support your players. Support your players in the Champions Cup."
Sarfaraz revealed how he picked his side for the forthcoming competition.
"I have selected the team while working closely. We have chosen players from a draft of 150 players.
"We will focus on the development of U19 players and with my experience, we will try to bring forward good players.
"In just twelve to fourteen days, it’s not possible to fix everything. What’s done is done, but we will now try to set Pakistan cricket on the right path," he added.
Mentors of Champions One-Day Cup
Shoaib Malik - Stallions
Misbah-ul-Haq - Wolves
Waqar Younis - Lions
Saqlain Mushtaq - Panthers
Sarfaraz Ahmed - Dolphins
Event schedule (all matches at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad)
12 Sep – Wolves v Panthers
13 Sep – Stallions v Lions
14 Sep – Dolphins v Panthers
15 Sep – Wolves v Stallions
16 Sep – Lions v Panthers
17 Sep – Dolphins v Wolves
19 Sep – Stallions v Dolphins
20 Sep – Lions v Wolves
21 Sep – Panthers v Stallions
22 Sep – Dolphins v Lions
24 Sep – Qualifier (Team No 1 v Team No 2)
25 Sep – Eliminator 1 (Team No 3 v Team No 4)
27 Sep – Eliminator 2 (Losing Qualifier v Winning Eliminator 2)
29 Sep - Final