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Cricket World Player of the Week - Sarfaraz Ahmed

©CWM / PCB

Even the most optimistic Pakistan fans wouldn't have been too hopeful of Sarfaraz Ahmed's international comeback but the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter exhibited against New Zealand that he still has some cricket left in him.

The panache and consistency with which Mohammad Rizwan entered the scene, and gradually took over form Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan's first-choice wicketkeeper in all the three formats, it looked like Sarfaraz's international career was done for all money.

Sarfaraz did find himself in various squads, mostly as a back-up wicketkeeper to Rizwan, but opportunities were hard to come by.

When he did finally get his chance after four years, Sarfaraz created a noteworthy record with his impressive performance in the recently-concluded two-match Test series against New Zealand.

The right-hander scored the most runs - 335 - by any Pakistan wicketkeeper in a Test series having three matches or less, and repaid the faith of the new selection committee and the team management.

The veteran wicketkeeper's real challenge though will come while touring, with most countries offering quite bowler friendly pitches in Test cricket currently. For a start though, Sarfaraz couldn't have asked for more.

The Pakistan wicketkeeper rated his fourth innings ton in Karachi on day five of the second Test against New Zealand his best and the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series awards are testament to that.