Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali has admitted that the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 qualification is playing on minds of the players as defeat in any match against Zimbabwe or the following tour of Sri Lanka could jeopardise their place in the tournament.
– #Quiz360: Thursday's Teasers – WIN Vivitar Action Camera
Azhar’s charges are in danger of missing out on the Champions Trophy as they currently languish at ninth place, which is one below where they need to be by September 30, 2015.
The whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh came as a body blow for the team as it was Pakistan witched places in the rankings with Bangladesh, who leapfrogged them into eighth. Only a very healthy winning streak will give Pakistan any hope of getting on the plane to England for the Champions Trophy in two years time.
The West Indies are seventh place with 88 points — the same as Bangladesh — but they Caribbean side are vunerable as they do not play any more ODI matches before the cut-off date.
“Every match against Zimbabwe is a do-or-die for us because Champions Trophy qualification is important. This remains in back of our minds so we can’t afford to lose any match,” Azhar said on the eve of second ODI against Zimbabwe.
“There is pressure on us but we have to cope with it and keep in a positive frame of mind. We must try our best to win against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. We’re targeting to win the Sri Lanka series and hopefully by then Mohammad Irfan will be fit because the world fears his ability as he will provide that cutting edge.”
Ali also played down concerns of playing too much cricket this year as Bangladesh followed by Zimbabwe and a series against Sri Lanka, England and India is a lot for any team to handle let alone one rebuilding.
The skipper admitted that Pakistan is missing a bowler of Saeed Ajmal’s capability and that it would not be easy to fill the gap left by his departure.
Speaking about the second match, Azhar stated that skipper Elton Chigumbura, who has been suspended for two matches due to slow over-rate charges, would be missed by Zimbabwe as he has been in fine form of late and Pakistan would try to capitalize the situation.
“Chigumbura has been in fine form and he was the main player for Zimbabwe so Pakistan will have that advantage,” Azhar added.
