3rd ODI: Azhar counting on Auckland for victory

Pakistan ODI captain says team's morale is high to bag series-levelling victory against New Zealand

Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali expressed hope on Saturday that the team will beat New Zealand in Auckland to level the three-match series as they were able to bag a victory in the first T20I on the same ground.

“We won the first T20I in Auckland under Shahid Afridi’s captaincy. I am hoping to level the series against New Zealand with a victory on the same ground,” said Azhar, as quoted by Express News.



Azhar added that the team was ready to take on the Kiwis in the third ODI.

“The morale of the team is high. We will try our best to come out with a victory,” he said.

Right-hand batsman Shoaib Malik was not fielded in the first ODI which Pakistan lost by 70 runs and Azhar said his absence owed to an injury.



“Shoaib was injured and couldn’t be a part of the team in the first ODI,” said Azhar. “He will be a part of the last ODI if he is fit in time.”

Azhar also expressed confidence in his bowlers saying that they were in great form and had the ability to down the Kiwis side.

Basit's optimism

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) junior chief selector Basit Ali backed Pakistan to win the third and final ODI.

Basit felt that even though hosts New Zealand were playing top cricket at the moment, the visitors had the potential to cause an upset if they pull together and play ‘fearless’ cricket.



However, he added that there seems to be a lack of harmony in the camp and the players seemed to be playing for themselves, in order to ensure that they stay within the side, rather than for the team.

“Pakistan can still beat New Zealand despite being blown away in the first ODI and I expect them to come back hard in the third ODI, provided they play fearless cricket for the team,” said Basit.

The former right-hand batsman added the players lacked confidence due to the constant changes in the team.

 



“So many changes have been made that the players have lost all confidence,” he said. “All they are trying to do is put up individual performances, and that isn’t helping the team. I believe that our batting and bowling are good enough to win us any match.”