Sports

The Azhar Ali dilemma

To remove Pakistan ODI captain from the lead role or not is the question

Editorial January 27, 2017

Azhar Ali. PHOTO: AFP

To remove Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali from the lead role or not is the question that is boggling everyone’s mind after the recent 4-1 loss to Australia Down Under in the 50-over contests.

The combined sentiment of the fans and the cricket pundits and the Pakistan Cricket Board is that Azhar, who matured under the shadow of Test captain Misbahul Haq, is not suitable for the job because of his defensive mind-set — in an age where offence in ODI cricket is considered to be the best defence.

A very few people, at this point in time, will back Azhar to be retained on the post and they are not wrong if we consider 31-year-old’s record as the leader of the 50-over side. He has captained the side in 31 ODIs — 12 wins and 18 defeats — starting from the tour of Bangladesh in April 2015. The team was, for the first time in their history, whitewashed by the hosts 3-0, despite him scoring a century (101) in the last ODI.

He then led the side to a 2-0 win in a three-match series against Zimbabwe during their famous tour to Pakistan. The victory was followed by a 3-2 win on the tour of Sri Lanka. Then came the Zimbabwe tour where Pakistan won the series 2-1 but not with ease.

A 3-1 loss to England in the UAE followed, New Zealand hosted Pakistan to beat them 2-0, Pakistan toured England and lost 4-1. A breather came when Babar Azam-inspired ODI side beat West Indies 3-0 in UAE but, after that, Australia again ruined the show for Azhar.

The PCB, now, has a hard decision to make. They are proposing, as sources quote, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed to replace Azhar. But Pakistan tour West Indies in April in a series which can bring them down from their safe eighth position in ODIs — a spot which guarantees Pakistan’s direct qualification into the ODI World Cup. So, would it be right to give Sarfraz his first go at captaincy in such a crunch series or will the PCB give Azhar one last chance to prove himself?

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2017.

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COMMENTS (3)

Kamran | 7 years ago | Reply Inzamam is 100% correct, as the numbers speak for themselves. Azhar Ali lost big time against Australia, England and Newzeland in their home turf and also in UAE.

Hussain | 7 years ago | Reply Something that an average follower of cricket can comprehend and understand, it takes months if not years for PCB to understand. Azhar Ali is no captaincy material. If he could not take Lahore Qalandars with the likes of Gayle and Bravo to semi final spots, why should he be considered for leading the national side. PCB 'requested' him to resign after the England tour but as is the culture in Pakistan, no one leaves until they are kicked out - the concept of self respect does not exist. Sarfaraz is more than capable to lead the side in all three formats. He would need support obviously but with the current lot, he is the only one that can take Pakistan to better rankings in ODI and T20. Hafeez needs to be out of the team and Umar Akmal needs to be No 3 or 4. Malik needs to bat down the order. Asad shafiq and Azhar should be given a chance to perform in the ODI setup for next 2 series as a batsman

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