Sarfaraz Ahmed scores century in first-class cricket after five years

Former national team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Wednesday scored a century in the seventh round of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Sindh against Southern Punjab.

Sarfaraz scored 131 off 174 deliveries and built a 278 runs partnership for the third wicket with Fawad Alam to help his side avoid a possible follow-on.

The wicket-keeper batsman, who was out of form for some time and was sacked by the PCB from captaincy in all three formats, termed his innings as “‘much needed.”

“It’s always good to score big. I always try to score big runs and have managed a couple of scores in 50s. I am happy to have scored a century today especially at a time when my team needed it the most,” said Sarfaraz.

Although this was Sarfaraz's 11th first class century in 155 first-class matches, it was his first in five years after he last scored a three figure score in 2014 against New Zealand. 

“I was waiting for such big innings because it boosts your confidence. Domestic cricket is the best platform for a player to regain his form,” he added.

The PCB has told Sarfaraz Ahmed to take a break from international cricket and focus on regaining his lost form in domestic tournaments.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a break from international cricket. Domestic [cricket] allows you to be free from all kinds of pressure and concentrate on your form,” he said.

“I’m hopeful of making a comeback but at the moment all my focus is on playing cricket at domestic tournaments and do well,” he said.