Not up to pace: Azhar feels Pakistan need to catch up with their rivals

Skipper says the game has changed and the men in green are lagging behind

KARACHI: The conclusion of the preparatory camp for the tour of Bangladesh saw Pakistan’s new ODI captain Azhar Ali admitting that the dynamics of international cricket are changing fast and the team needs to catch up with them.

“Cricket has changed a lot and as a team we need to play positively going forward,” said Azhar, before adding that the team requires time to adapt to the changes. “We can’t just suddenly start playing attacking cricket, but gradually we need to take our team up to the pace set by other international teams. Cricket is a lot faster these days, so we have got to match that pace.”

Despite the unforgiving heat in Lahore, players continued to train in two sessions to get ready for the test awaiting them on Bangladeshi soil.

The likes of Muhammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed and Fawad Alam have all come out and publicly endorsed Azhar, who has spoken of the support he has received from all quarters.

“I’m pleased at how everyone has welcomed me in the camp as the captain,” said the 30-year-old. “Considering the commitment everyone is showing, I am confident that the team will perform well. It is an important series against Bangladesh because it is always a challenge to take them on in their own backyard.”

Azhar further said that he has learned a lot from his predecessor, Misbahul Haq, regarding leading the side during tough times and termed him as one of the best skippers he has seen.

“The way Misbah led Pakistan in tough situations was incredible but sometimes people don’t know what is happening behind the scenes,” added Azhar.

Asked whether he will be adopting an attacking approach, the skipper stated that he will attack whenever the situation demands it but felt that having a friendly atmosphere in the dressing is perhaps even more important than the approach adopted.

Azhar also urged the batsmen to bat more responsibly as Pakistan were forced to bank on the pace attack to deliver the goods in the World Cup after being let down by the batting.

The new skipper knows that the hole left behind by the departure of senior members such as Misbah and Shahid Afridi will be difficult to fill but backed his young charges to step up to the plate. “The seniors’ absence will be felt but we as a unit will try to fill the void left behind by their departure,” he said, before adding that the new blood comes with its advantages. “Our fielding will improve with younger players coming into the side.”

Azhar also expressed his satisfaction over the players selected for the tour, saying that he is convinced that the chosen ones are the pick of the bunch.

 

Cheema says no indiscipline took place

Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema also spoke on the occasion and said that the all the players cooperated with him during the World Cup and while there were minor incidents of indiscipline, no major controversial issue took place.

“The players were fined to send a message that there is a zero-tolerance policy for indiscipline and when the team won against South Africa, I returned their fines back to them,” Cheema said of the incident when eight players were fined for failing to return to the hotel before curfew.

 

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