On a spinning track, reverse swing to come into play for pacers: Azhar Ali

Right-handed batsman ready to contribute with ball for Pakistan, if needed

Pakistan were able to score 376 runs in the first innings against West Indies, a few less than they wanted, but opener Azhar Ali thinks it is enough to give bowlers a chance to dominate in the third and final Test at Roseau.

Azhar scored 127 off 334 runs courtesy eight boundaries and two sixes before the hosts were asked to bat for 11 overs at the end of day two in a three-match series which is level at 1-1.

“I am really happy,” he said. “Scoring a hundred in a Test match is always pleasing and at the end, we put runs on the board which is really important if you bat first. So, we are looking to use that to our advantage.”

Windies pacers faced a lot of difficulties on a flat wicket in Windsor Park but run-scoring was equally difficult due to a wet outfield, but Azhar is optimistic that Pakistani pacers would support the spinners well.

“Yeah, it will be hard work as you have seen that the wicket is quite flat; the only difficulty is to score runs on it because of the slow outfield. So we would try and bowl in good channels and good areas and obviously the wickets would come. We will try and restrict them in the first innings, as low as we can. And they will have to bat last to we’ll hopefully utilise that,” he explained.

He added that spin will make a difference on pitch where Windies off-spinner Roston Chase bagged a four-for. “There was definitely some turn in the pitch as you saw spinners got some assistance. We are hoping that it will turn more as the days go on so we can start putting pressure on West Indies,” he said.

Moreover, Azhar believes in the ability of a good Pakistan pace attack which saw right-arm pacer Hasan Ali make his debut. “At some stage reverse swing will be coming into play. They are all good, decent fast-bowlers, especially Hasan, he is making his debut, he is an exciting bowler to look at and he is quite skiddy, so he’ll get some reverse swing. They are quite capable of picking up 20 wickets on it and it is really important for us to finish off the series [with a win].”

Meanwhile, Azhar said that they wanted to touch the 400-run mark but are happy with what they have put on the board. “We wanted to score 400 and we nearly have that much runs on the board, now we have to try and dominate and try and put pressure on West Indies.”

The 32-year-old also said he is ready to contribute with his part-time leg-spin if the need be. “If needed, then yes [I will bowl]. There is turn in the pitch, so if I am needed I will try and contribute with the ball.”