Out-of-favour term was used whenever Sarfaraz Ahmed’s name was mentioned in Pakistan cricket. The former Pakistan skipper’s cricket career was turned upside down when he was sacked as captain. Soon enough, he would warm the benches and not get a chance to prove himself. The rise of Mohammad Rizwan, especially in white-ball format, made his chances of return even bleaker. Few years later as Pakistan cricket was under the scanner for their performance in the ultimate format at home, Sarfaraz found a place in the middle order. After back-to-back half-centuries, Sarfaraz brought up his fourth Test century when they needed it the most.
In the second Test of the two-Test series against New Zealand, Sarfaraz stood between New Zealand and a comfortable win at Karachi Stadium. After an ordinary display by top-order batters in run chase of 319, Sarfaraz had the big task of stabilising the innings on Day 5. He shared crucial partnerships with Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman to keep the run chase alive and got to his century in the third session.
With his fourth Test century, he ended the century drought in the format at his homeground which lasted over eight years. The wicketkeeper-batter’s last century came in November 2014 against New Zealand in 2014 in Dubai.
The 35-year-old celebrated his century with wild celebrations. As he reached the three figures, he jumped in the air, then got to his knees and punched the ground few times. He took off his helmet and acknowledged the crowd with his arms open wide. Then, he got down on his knees again and kissed the ground.
Sarfaraz also became the third Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score a century in the fourth innings after Moin Khan and Rizwan. He also surpassed Moin’s highest score as designated wicketkeeper for Pakistan while chasing. Moin scored an unbeaten 117 against Sri Lanka in 1995 in a losing cause.
Earlier in this series, Sarfaraz got a chance in the Test side after January 2019. Also, his century drought was not only limited to Tests. His last century in ODIs came in 2016 against England at Lord's.
