Sarfaraz will be first choice wicketkeeper in T20Is on England tour: Latif.

KARACHI -- Cricketer-turned-analyst Rashid Latif believes former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be Pakistan's preferred option as wicketkeeper for the Twenty20 International (T20I) series on the England tour.

Sarfaraz was named in the 29-member squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming tour of England. Pakistan is scheduled to take on the home side in three Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), which will be played in August-September.

While talking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Latif said that wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan will continue to be Pakistan's first choice behind the wickets in Test cricket.

"Sarfaraz will be Pakistan's first choice wicketkeeper in T20Is and second choice in Tests. Rizwan's performances in Test matches have been really good so far. So I don't think Sarfaraz will be preferred over Rizwan in Test cricket. The reason for taking Sarfaraz along is because they had to pick a bigger squad as the team will be in quarantine initially due to the pandemic," said Latif.

"It will be a difficult challenge for Sarfaraz to sit on the bench after leading Pakistan for three to four years and winning titles like Champions Trophy for the country. However, it is not impossible and I expect him to fight and overcome this tough task," he added.

Former cricketer feels the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could have better managed Sarfaraz's comeback considering his stature in Pakistan cricket.

"Sarfaraz could have gone a little late as well. He could have travelled during the middle of the Test series. Maybe PCB was not able to plan it properly. Since there is a chartered flight being sent by ECB, the board thought of sending everyone together. Sarfaraz didn't have to go together as he is a very big name of Pakistan cricket as a captain and leader," he said.

The 51-year-old is pleased with the appointment of Younis Khan as batting coach for the England tour and believes his...