I don't want my son to become a cricketer: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed does not want his son Abdullah to take up cricket as a profession.

Speaking to a local media channel, Ahmed revealed the reason behind why he doesn't want his son to take up his profession.

According to the Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman, he does not want his son to face the same hardships as he did during his career. Ahmed was alluding to the rampant nepotism that exists in Pakistan cricket.

"Abdullah is passionate about playing cricket. But I don't want him to become a cricketer. Actually, being a cricketer, I suffered many things that I don't want Abdullah to face. It's human nature. Being a cricketer, I want my brother or son to be selected immediately. Otherwise, it hurts."

Abdullah has garnered praise for his prodigious talent from former Pakistani wicket-keeper Moin Khan and Tennis sensation Sania Mirza.

However, Sarfaraz wants that even if Abdullah decides to make cricket his full-time career, he should achieve his goals through sheer hard work and not seek an easy path just because he is a son of a cricketer.

"Many people said to me that Abdullah is talented and I should let him play cricket. Moin Bhai had praised Abdullah's skills; also, Sania Mirza once told me that Abdullah has the potential to become a cricketer. But I want him to achieve his goals by working hard. Nobody should give him an easy way just because he is my son," Sarfaraz added.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz is entirely out of favour as far as the national set-up is concerned. The wicketkeeper-batsman led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title and the No.1 ranking in T20I cricket. He last featured for his country in a T20I against Bangladesh last November.