Former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed believes that exclusion of specialist wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed from the playing XI in the first two World Cup ties would have shaken his confidence.
Pakistan suffered a humiliating 150-run defeat against the West Indies at Hagley Oval on Saturday after Misbah's men were thrashed by defending champions India in their opening game last week.
Asserting that Sarfraz was good enough to start at the World Cup, Aaqib said that through his performances in the last couple of series, he had finally resolved Pakistan's longstanding issue of finding a good wicketkeeper batsman.
In light of Sarfraz's omission, Aaqib said that his confidence would have been badly shaken by the treatment meted out to him, the Dawn reported.
Pakistan will next play against Zimbabwe on March 3 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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