Uncertainty hindering Sarfraz's progress

The last five months have been turbulent not only for Pakistan cricket but also their wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed, whose place in the team has been uncertain. Despite Sarfraz having a successful 2014, Pakistan have been unsure how to use him best.

It took years for Sarfraz to be considered a serious prospect for Pakistan and in 2014 he was among the country's top run-scorers in Tests. His 80-ball hundred against Australia in the Dubai Test was the fourth-fastest hundred for his country and the second-fastest for a wicketkeeper. Suddenly, his career began to look up and he was considered the answer to several of Pakistan's batting problems.

The New Year, however, has not been as good for Sarfraz. He is not a specialist opener but has been drafted in to do the job in ODIs. While he has had some success in the role, he is incorrectly perceived as an opener when he is actually a No. 6 or 7. All the reshuffling has created a sense of confusion.

Sarfraz did not play Pakistan's first four World Cup group matches and was also left out of the third ODI in Bangladesh, despite being the vice-captain. The uncertainty about his status in the Pakistan team is bound to impact his confidence. The Pakistan selectors had also picked another wicketkeeper-batsman - Mohammad Rizwan - in the squad, a development Sarfraz said was a "healthy sign, which actually creates a sense of competition that is eventually going to benefit the team."

Sarfraz made 24 and 7 in the first two ODIs in Bangladesh and was left out of the third, a decision the captain Azhar Ali said was made to give the uncapped specialist opener Sami Aslam a chance.

Now with two Tests to play in Bangladesh, a series that has acquired immense importance for Pakistan after they lost the ODIs 0-3 and the only T20 international, Sarfraz is in a position where he has to prove himself again. He is under pressure, and was reluctant to respond to questions about his form and place in the batting order.

"I don't know as it's up to the team management to decide," Sarfraz said, unsure about his role. "I am ready to play wherever they want me to play.

"In ODIs, there was no pressure at all. I just tried to play the same way I used to, but maybe there was a difference of conditions and I wasn't able to adjust. But all of the boys gave their efforts and I am sure in the Tests we will bounce back [and] will regain our momentum."