Sarfraz Ahmed returning home to be with ailing mother: sources

KARACHI: Pakistan vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed is headed home from Australia to be with his ailing mother, sources informed.

The wicketkeeper-batsman’s mother is critically ill and under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi, the sources said.

According to the sources, batsman Kamran Akmal’s name is under review as a possible replacement for Sarfraz. The selection committee will decide about the replacement shortly.

The news comes as a second major blow to the Pakistan team in two days. On Monday, pacer Mohammad Irfan flew home after his mother passed away. The selectors named Junaid Khan as his replacement.

Pakistan will face Australia for a five-match ODI series starting from January 13 (Friday).