Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has come under increasing pressure due to a run of form that had seen two series defeats in Bangladesh and England prior to their first bilateral victory over West Indies in the UAE.
Azhar‘s position has been under threat due a difficult spell that has seen them plummet to ninth in the ICC world rankings.
It means that they are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification to the 2019 World Cup but will move above West Indies into eighth.
That represents the final guaranteed spot for the tournament in England and Wales, should they secure a series whitewash in the final ODI of the series in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
And Azhar believes his team have turned a corner.
“It takes time to improve things. You need patience to lift a team. We started the rebuilding process after the 2015 World Cup and it takes one-and-a-half to two years so we are going towards that,” said Azhar.
“Our nation doesn’t have the patience, they want to win instantly. If you don’t win they get frustrated and want change. As a nation we have to take responsibility. It’s easy to look at things in hindsight and call for changes.”
New era. New-look Pakistan limited-overs team, fast bowlers diving around off their own bowling & completing brilliant run-outs 👏 #PAKvsWI
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 2, 2016
T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been touted as a ready-made replacement for Azhar but the current incumbent believes Pakistan can ill-afford drastic change.
“No matter how many captains you change if you want to rebuild the team it takes one-and-a-half to two years,” he said.
Pakistan has certainly looked a much improved outfit in one-day cricket since the arrival of Mickey Arthur as head coach.
The added focus on fitness and fielding has so far resulted in a marked difference, as has the side’s attacking, focused approach.
That started in the T20I series which Pakistan won 3-0 and has translated well into their ODI setup which has blossomed with much added belief.
Not only has that been instilled by the coaching staff but also through their current run of victories that has seen Pakistan register seven wins on the bounce (four T20Is and three ODIs) since the final ODI against England this summer.
Pakistan beat West Indies by 59 runs, bag series 2-0. Happy faces all around https://t.co/Zf0FufSa5f #PAKvsWI @TheRealPCB @westindies pic.twitter.com/muyaPE0Iht
— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) October 2, 2016
“We are getting all-rounders who have brought depth in batting and we are scoring 300 plus,” said Azhar.
“We are executing plans in bowling which is good, energy levels are high and with wins you lift your confidence. We have played well in the last five to seven matches.”
Azhar’s own performances in the UAE have been poor, with returns of a diamond duck in the first ODI and nine in the second all he has to show for his tour so far.
But the 31-year-old is adamant that he remains full of confidence and believes an upturn in form is just around the corner.
“My series against England was better and I scored runs there. I am playing well in the nets so it will take one innings to come in form because my confidence level is high,” he said.
