Dubai. Two young captains will be leading two reputed teams in a Twenty20 series. Carlos Brathwaite, the hero who won the world cup for West Indies this year hitting four sixes is West Indies’ inspiring captain and Pakistan’s promising batsman Sarfraz Ahmad is leading team in a full series.
When asked about his journey to the top slot Brathwaite candidly said: “Just because I hit four sixes does not mean it can happen every day and that over could have gone very differently taking an inside edge for two and West Indies could have lost the World Cup. Thankfully that I was the person that was able to win the World Cup for the West Indies.
“I still have to be realistic and in sports we have ups and down and that was my up and I still have to respect the game of cricket. A big down could be on its way around the corner, I don’t know. So for me it’s about staying humble, respecting the game of cricket, respecting the process, also respecting my teammates. If I go out partying, am not fully-fit and take all these things for granted and then come and give 80 per cent when the other guys are putting in the extra work, that is disrespect for my teammates as well. So, for me both as a cricketer and as a person it is about respecting the game, respecting life, respecting ups and downs and just staying humble.”
For Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmad it’s a challenge to prove as a captain. He is hoping to put in everything into it and get the best out of his players.
When asked about his excitement leading the team in a series, he said: “Obviously, when a player starts playing cricket, his dream is to play for Pakistan. But I never imagined that I would get a chance to captain Pakistan. I think it is an honour not just for me, but for any player, to play for the country. But it is even more of an honour to captain you country. So, it is a proud moment for me and I’m very happy that I’m going to captain Pakistan.”
Brathwaite said there are too many things to focus on as a captain. “There are so many things to be look into as a captain, discussions with management, players and media. As a player you have to concentrate only on your own game and skills but as captain it is different. The motion that I feel most is the excitement to lead the best T20 players in the world.”
Sarfraz wants to keep the momentum of victory over England in the last Twenty20 match and not feel overconfident. “We are not over confident at all. We have prepared well and we also practised hard in the soaring heat. We will try to keep the momentum gained from that win against England, going into the future.”
