Even though Sarfaraz Ahmed was left out of the playing XI for the opening Test against England, the former Pakistan skipper made his presence felt on the pitch by performing the 12th-man duties. He was first seen carrying a pair of shoes for Shadab Khan after Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal on Day 2 and later water bottles for his teammates, as the visitors held a firm grip on the proceedings.

However, the incident brought strong criticism against the team management, with former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar terming it disrespectful.

During a panel discussion, which also included Rashid Latif, the Rawalpindi Express asserted that a former captain shouldn’t be carrying shoes for a player. Taking notes from the incident, Akhtar also called Sarfaraz a timid man, who was always dominated by former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.

“I didn’t like the visual. If you want to make an example out of a boy from Karachi, then it is wrong. You can’t do this to a player who has led Pakistan for four years and has won Champions Trophy for the country. You have made him carry the shoes. If he has done it himself, then stop him. Wasim Akram never brought shoes for me.”

“This shows that Sarfaraz is such a docile and weak man. He must have lead Pakistan in the same way as he carried the shoes. That’s why Mickey Arthur always dominated him. I am not saying carrying the shoes is a problem, but former captain can’t do that,” Akhtar said.