Azhar Ali declared fit for Sydney ODI

31-year-old batsman will captain Pakistan against Australia for remainder of series

Sports Desk January 21, 2017

Azhar Ali will captain Pakistan against Australia for remainder of series. PHOTO COURTESY: Getty Images

Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali has been declared fit to participate in the fourth ODI against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

Azhar previously injured his hamstring during the first ODI due to which he missed the second and third game of the five-match series. All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was the stand-in skipper for the side in Azhar’s absence.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the 31-year-old batsman undertook fitness test on Saturday and passed with flying colours to resume the role of captaincy from the fourth ODI onwards.

Hafeez dismisses speculation he is after permanent captaincy; backs Azhar Ali

After passing a fitness test today, Azhar Ali was declared fit and will captain the team for the fourth ODI at SCG
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 21, 2017

Earlier, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur also hinted at Azhar’s return.

“He [Azhar] had a good hit [on Thursday], and ran between wickets with the pads on,” said Arthur. “He had a good field too. We’re confident we’ll get Azhar back for Sunday.”

Azhar Ali will miss third ODI, confirms Wasim Bari

The South African added: “It’s a massive boost. It gives more solidarity to our top order. I’m looking forward to having him back.”

Pakistan currently trail 2-1 in the series and must win Sunday’s fourth ODI in Sydney to keep the series alive.

COMMENTS (1)

israr | 7 years ago | Reply how sad is that azhar is back in the side and nawaz wont get to play last two odi, this is what pcb has done to pakistan cricket, first misbah as odi captain and now azhar ali this is v sad v v v sad, not sure on england tour y anwar ali and bilawal bhatti were not in the squad and still puzzled y rahat is in the side and anwar is dropped from odi in aus .... azhar and mibah are v defensive captains and reason we lose test matches which are mostly draw or we winning and odis we lost in the middle of the game because of our defensive captains and their sad looking techniquies... make sarfaraz captain and let him be captain till 2019 regardless of where we are and what we do no 1 or no 9 let him captain and let him pick his team ...

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