1st ODI: Azhar aims for nothing less than a clean sweep

ODI captain aware of the importance of winning the series 3-0 against Zimbabwe


Nabeel Hashmi May 25, 2015
According to Azhar, his anticipation for the ODI series has heightened due to the fact that he would be the one leading Pakistan. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS

LAHORE:


Pakistan’s ODI captain Azhar Ali is targeting Zimbabwe’s whitewash in the three-match one-day series against the visitors after the hosts beat them 2-0 in the T20I series.


Ninth-ranked Pakistan can hardly afford to be complacent at the moment, as they need to win all of their matches to retain ninth place in the ODI rankings.

Their last tour of Bangladesh was nothing short of a disaster, losing the ODI series 3-0 as well as the one-off T20I. It was the first occasion in Pakistan’s cricket history that they had not only lost a series against Bangladesh, but also succumbed to a whitewash at the hands of the Tigers.

“We’re seeking a whitewash against Zimbabwe and will not settle for anything less than that,” Azhar told The Express Tribune. “Everyone understands the importance of this series after what happened in Bangladesh, and the players are eager to put on a good show in the ODI series for all our fans who have been nothing but amazing so far.”

It will be the first occasion for players like Azhar, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail and others to play in front of the home crowd.

The duo of Azhar and Asad have been playing their home matches in the UAE for the last five to six years, and the skipper said that he just cannot wait to go out and play his maiden match in Pakistan. “I’m very excited to play my first match in Pakistan, the wait has been very long and finally the moment has arrived,” said Azhar. “As a kid, you dream of playing for your country and to play matches at home, and that dream is very close to fulfillment.”

The 30-year-old hailed the fans for making the T20I series worth all the hype surrounding the return of international cricket to Pakistan. “I was there at the Gaddafi Stadium for the second T20I as a fan, and the atmosphere was something I’ve never experienced before,” he said.



According to Azhar, his anticipation for the ODI series has heightened due to the fact that he would be the one leading Pakistan. “I would urge the fans in Lahore to keep turning up in numbers to make this historic occasion even greater.”

New challenges

Azhar will have to deal with a different set of players as compared to the ones he had in Bangladesh after the selection committee included recalled senior players Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Malik and Ahmed Shehzad, while youngster Hammad Azam will also make a return.

Additionally, rookies Babar Azam and Imad Wasim have been included in the 16-member squad.

Selectors have included all-rounder Anwar Ali, Imad and Hammad to improve the team’s depth, with the side already rich in all-rounders in the shape of Azhar, Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Haris.

“The juniors are expected to learn a lot from the senior players, so that will be an added advantage with Sami and Malik in the side along with Hafeez,” stated Azhar. “The team looks solid with the presence of all-rounders and big-hitters, something which I felt we needed to improve on.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th,  2015.

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COMMENTS (1)

Third Umpire | 8 years ago | Reply Why should the sponsor appear with the trophy with the two captains? Can some one enlighten me on the rationale behind appearance of the sponsor.
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