Tauseef hails 'man of crisis' Azhar Ali

Tauseef Ahmed lauds team’s solid show with the bat in the Boxing Day Test

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector Tauseef Ahmed on Tuesday heaped praise on centurion Azhar Ali after he completed his ton on day two of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia in Melbourne.

Tauseef also lauded the team’s solid show with the bat in the Boxing Day Test.

Pakistan lost just two wickets as they impregnated their overnight score (142-4) to 310-6 before rain enforced early stumps for the second consecutive day.

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Azhar was the star of day two as he remained unbeaten on 139 from 287 deliveries, a knock which was laced with a dozen boundaries.

Brisbane-hero Asad Shafiq also scored 50 runs, with the pair also getting involved in a 115-run stand for the fifth wicket and Tauseef felt a good batting performance has provided a solid platform for the visitors.

“Pakistan can now surpass 375 and that would be a very good first innings total,” the former Test cricketer told The Express Tribune. “It is a very good sign that our batsmen have started scoring runs. Our below-par performance with the bat has been our long-time problem.”

Shot! Azhar's 11th boundary takes him to 132* with Pakistan 6-294.

LIVE: https://t.co/i0Fw1l8S79 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/4w4YxTAZMy

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2016

He added: “Pakistan are in a good position in Melbourne and they have a chance to pile pressure on Australia. The hosts are going to play the fourth innings and it would be very difficult for them to chase the target,” he said.

However, the former off-spinner said all Pakistan bowlers will have to contribute to trouble the Aussie batting line-up. “It will not just be about Yasir Shah,” he said. “Our pacers will also have to play their part. Yasir is going to play a crucial role but he can be more effective when he gets support from the other end.”

Bold strategy from Sarfraz first ball! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/nPNJ98tigx

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2016

The PCB selector then applauded Azhar who countered PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan’s criticism over his ODI captaincy with a well-constructed innings.

“Azhar has been facing criticism since a long time but he is performing consistently. He is the man of crisis and he has proved that again with his fighting knock in Melbourne. Azhar’s Test performance will definitely lift his confidence for the ODI series.”