Sarfaraz Ahmed being used as water boy has made some fans very angry
The cricketing career of former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been shrouded in quite a bit of controversy. Whether it is him using racist words for a South African player or whether it was him being called a suar. He has also been a part of lots of Karachi vs Lahore debates and the fact that he’s mocked and his competence was called into question, at times. Well, that whole attention on him ended when he was replaced last year as the captain of all forms of cricket for the national team. However, controversy has followed Sarfaraz all the way to England in the team’s first international series since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sarfaraz Ahmed came on screen when he appeared, wearing the uniform that a “water boy” is supposed to
Former captain of Pakistan #SarfarazAhmed carry shoes for his teammate in the field.
Do you think it's fine? Is this how a former captain or a senior player should be treated?
A huge difference between @BCCI And @TheRealPCB #ENGvPAK @SarfarazA_54 pic.twitter.com/hAkeuR9YaH
— Anu Rajput🇮🇳 (@anuradhatanwar1) August 7, 2020
Some of the fans are definitely not happy about seeing former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed being used as a water boy
What an a**hole you are #misbah and #waqaryounis hope both of you rot in hell , #SarfarazAhmed winner of #t20worldcup did nation so proud and what have you done in return #PCB #Pakistan
— Dr Ayesha Zafar (@drayeshahh74) August 7, 2020
nahi jana chahiye tha bura mujhe bhi laga.#SarfarazAhmed
— usama khan (@usamakh14707442) August 7, 2020
Many are quite pissed as they assume that using Sarfaraz Ahmed as a water boy, or the 12th player is akin to humiliating someone so senior in the game
Un logo ko sharam aani chahye jo Sarfaraz se joooty uthwa rahe hai, Maine kabhi nahi dekha k senior player/Captain jooty utha rha hoo, This type of behavior with a captain who won us Champion trophy is very Bad. This is not the way to treat our HEROES#PakvEng #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/C8Jjs2e5Pe
— Tanveer Ahmed (@ImTanveerA) August 7, 2020
They’re bringing up how Sarfaraz has won trophies in the past and is now reduced to a twelfth man role where he is being under-utilized
#SarfarazAhmed
He is one of the best wicket keeper batsman around the world instead of giving him a chance to perform in this series you just make him able to carry drinks 💔 pic.twitter.com/IBIdcuO58I— M. Ahmed. Ali (@MAhmedA89835039) August 7, 2020
Indians took this opportunity to start making comparisons with their own team
Two photos show what is difference between #TeamIndia and @TheRealPCB team. See how #ViratKohli treats a former skipper #Dhoni. And see how Pak team asks #SarfarazAhmed to carry shoes in the field for the players he led few months back. Speaks volumes of Sarfaraz to digest this pic.twitter.com/hRyMTbLioP
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) August 6, 2020
Others are trying to reason that there’s nothing to worry about as no amount of work should be considered humiliating
No Player is too big or too important to carry the drinks
Misbah's reply at the press conference "even I carried the drinks for the team in Australia"
But none of them coach's remove not too big or too important players for no big reason#SarfarazAhmed #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/GZYQDmum5E
— Sarfaraz Fan Club 💚🇵🇰 (@sarfaraz_club) August 6, 2020
People are even giving examples of other iconic cricketers, like Virat Kohli, who have also played the role of a water boy for their own teams so there’s no reason to feel humiliated or ashamed on behalf of Sarfaraz.
Grow up lads and learn the essence of cricket once again before you whine about Sarfi for serving water to Pakistani players. #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/j9lI52WL5N
— Captain ZAK (@i_captainzak) August 7, 2020
Don't worry your still hero in our eyes we really love you #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/UfKMszyqpa
— Shahzad Ahmad (@Shahzad39171086) August 7, 2020
According to some fans, this is all part of the game and Sarfaraz Ahmed knows being a water boy is just one of the roles that a player can be assigned to
Honestly, this makes so much sense. Why feel ashamed in doing whatever role one is assigned to? Koi bhi kaam chota ya barra nahi hota.
I am just amazed how ppl r reacting on Sarfaraz Ahmed's role as a 12th man. I mean what's wrong in carrying water & shoes to the field🤔 Sarfaraz Ahmed did that serving his country & in past many great players did the same for their countries!#SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/bilXzp071j
— Muzammil Aslam🇵🇰 (@memuzammilaslam) August 7, 2020
Coach Misbah-ul-haq was asked about using Sarfaraz as the twelfth man and he said he has huge respect for Sarfaraz
Misbah said that there’s no reason to feel disrespected as every player has to help out in different roles and whoever is available to take on a role in a team, does that.
Question: @SarfarazA_54 came on the field as a water boy and people start criticising this on social media. @captainmisbahpk : it happens only in Pakistan, I was captain in Australia and I came on the field as 12th man and Sarfaraz knows its a team game.#ENGvPAK #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/EN1BtWFpoz
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) August 6, 2020
This ongoing series in England has brought some much needed respite for fans in Pakistan whose only topic of conversation had been the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, for quite some time. While Babar Azam was recently compared to Virat Kohli, it is interesting to see Sarfaraz also being compared to Kohli, albeit for different reasons.
What do you think about Sarfaraz Ahmed being used a water boy? Sound off in the comments below.
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Cover image via: cricktracker.com / sports.ptv.com.pk