World Cup: Pakistan captain Sarfaraz slams former cricketers

Pakistan’s defeat to India in yet another World Cup fixture has drawn widespread criticism from former players, with skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed copping the maximum flak.

On the eve of Pakistan’s must-win fixture against South Africa at Lord’s, Sarfaraz took the fight to the former cricketers. “If I say anything about them, it will become an issue, so I say nothing. They think we are no players. So, if we reply to them, they take offence. Khuda ban ke TV pe baithe hain (They appear on television, thinking they are gods),” Sarfaraz said.

The captain refuted claims of divisions in the team and said: “There is no groupism. People talk about it only when you lose.”

Preview| PAK vs SA

Sarfaraz wants to forget about the loss against India and focus on the games ahead. “It is a tough thing for us. But after the match (against India), we gave two days of rest. But for the three days, we are practising hard. Morale is very high for us,” he said.

“The tournament is now open, so we have a chance. We are focusing match by match. We will try to win tomorrow's match.”