Shahid Afridi makes huge statement on Sarfaraz Ahmed's return to ODI cricket after his Test heroics

Pakistan veteran wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed made a sensational comeback in Test cricket during the Test series against New Zealand. The star batter was awarded ‘player of the series’ for scoring 335 runs in four innings at an average of 83.75 with one hundred and three fifties to his name.

Despite his sensational performance, Sarfaraz wasn't named in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand at home. Pakistan's interim chief selector Shahid Afridi has made it clear that Mohammad Rizwan will remain the team's first-choice wicket-keeper batter for white-ball formats.

Sarfaraz scored 86 and 53 in the first Test. His half-century on the final day of the Test saved the game for Pakistan who were reeling at 100/5 at one stage. New Zealand were set a target of 138 in 15 overs and reached 61/1 after 7.3 overs before bad light came into play.

He further scored a magnificent 78 and 118 in the second Test to mark a sensational comeback to Test cricket after almost four years. His incredible hundred in the second innings took Pakistan mighty close to a historic win. However, they eventually fell 15 runs short of the target with one wicket in hand as bad light once again spoiled the party.

Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to a Champions Trophy 2017 victory, was named in the playing XI in place of Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan's vice-captain of the Test team, Rizwan was dropped due to his poor run of form with the bat.

Mohammad Rizwan is our main wicket-keeper in both T20Is and ODIs: Shahid Afridi

Speaking to the reporters after the conclusion of the Test series, Afridi denied Sarfaraz's possible return to the white-ball team by saying that Rizwan is still Pakistan's first-choice wicket-keeper in the white-ball format of the game.

"I'm very happy that Saifi has made a comeback and given such an amazing performance, but Mohammad Rizwan is available and he is our main wicket-keeper in both T20Is and ODIs,” Shahid Afridi said in the press conference."

Sarfaraz last played an ODI in April 2021 against South Africa at Centurion. He has played 117 ODIs and has scored 2315 runs to his name with two hundreds and 11 fifties.