Dubai: Sarfraz Ahmad is ready to bat at any position for Pakistan but his main objective will be to serve the need of his team. “It is up to the to the team management to decide at which position I should bat. They asked me to open in One Day Internationals, I did and if they ask me again, I am ready. It is always up to the team management,” remarked Sarfraz, who cracked his third century in 12 Test matches and became the first wicket keeper from his country to make three Test centuries in a calendar year.

Sarfraz almost ran out of partners in this Test match but still made his century shielding the last man Rahat Ali. “When I came out to bat it was a different situation and I had a good partnership with Asad Shafiq but unfortunately he got out, then today we lost two quick wickets so I asked Rahat to stay and help me and he did. We managed to put up a good partnership and that helped to reduce the lead,” said Sarfraz, who is willing to consider this century as his best knock only if his team wins.

“If we win the Test then I will say that this is my best innings,” said Sarfraz, who has fond memories of the Dubai stadium. “I made a comeback on this same ground last year so at that time I thought it’s my last chance to cement my place. I did extra hard work and the team management and all the players in the team backed me. The prayers of my family too helped and that is why now I am the top run getter as wicketkeeper this year,” he added

When asked about the wicket and how it could be on the final day, Sarfraz said: “It is getting turn but it is not much so if we get their last four wickets for 50 to 60 runs then we can chase the target.”

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee hailed Sarfraz’s knock and said: “We started very well in the morning and got those three wickets but unfortunately we could not deliver the finishing blow. Sarfraz batted extremely well with the tailend. It was nice to get them out quickly after lunch. It was an interesting nice day of cricket.”

When asked whether he is expecting an unplayable wicket on the final day, Southee said: “I don’t think it will be unplayable but I think it will continue to deteriorate. We saw the one that got BJ (Watling) out bounced a little more than it should have done. It was disappointing for us but at the same time it is an encouraging sign going forward towards the mark.”