Shunned from the World Cup squad over concerns regarding his strike-rate in ODI cricket, Azhar Ali was not perceived to be a front runner to replace Misbah-ul-Haq as the captain after Misbah called time on his chequered reign.
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But Pakistan cricket has a knack of throwing up surprises and, remaining true to that billing, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan handed the reins of the ODI team to the ‘calm and assured’ Azhar.
The fear is that mild-mannered Azhar is likely to resist the urge to take daring decisions. But the stoic top-order Test batsman, who boasts a healthy 41.31 run average in the long format, is quick to dispel such an impression – delivering instead a polite warning to his charges.
“I like to handle all issues amicably both on and off the field,” Azhar tells Sport360. “But if there’s a need to be aggressive I have it in me to get my point across with minimal fuss. At times I have even surprised, rather shocked, myself with my reactions – but I can assure my team-mates that there would never be a hideous agenda against anyone.”
Azhar Ali still untested as an int captain but he gives that vibe of confidence & sounds like a very clever man. Only time will tell.
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) April 12, 2015
At this point in time, the softly spoken Azhar is unsurprisingly excited about the opportunity of leading his country and is sure his team-mates share his optimism about the future.
“I am very happy and thrilled at this opportunity, I want to lead the Pakistan team forward and help them embrace the challenge of modern cricket wholeheartedly,” Azhar continues. “Believe me there is a real buzz in the squad, the youngsters are very eager to make a name for themselves and the team.”
After a lacklustre World Cup performance, Pakistan’s team management – including coach Waqar Younis and Azhar – are carefully cultivating a more team-orientated approach. Over the years, Pakistan players have churned out some incredible performances but rarely have they gelled together and delivered consistently as a group.
“As a team we have to improve considerably, of course we need individual brilliance but it is foremost to cultivate a team first culture,” states Azhar.
The ‘team first’ mantra has already seen the massively talented but massively underachieving duo of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal axed after a dour World Cup performance.
Azhar knows well that the two big guns have a role left in the game but stays non-committal on their return, stating: “Both Ahmed and Umar have served the country well and I have the highest regard for their contribution.”
Pakistan cricket critics are big in number, with the most popular sport in the country always in the headlines for both the right and the wrong reasons. And Azhar knows that from now on every move that he makes is going to go under the microscope.
“My predecessor Misbah-ul-Haq silenced his critics with the bat, I want to emulate him and firmly believe that my bat can do the talking,” Azhar explains defiantly.
Azhar Ali says upcoming series against Bangladesh will be tough expresses hope his team will meet expectations of the fans
— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) April 11, 2015
“All we expect from the critics is respect, they must respect us as players and identify our weaknesses, they must know that by settling their own personal scores and attacking personalities rather than performances, they only hurt the players.”
In 14 ODI appearances Azhar has managed a strike rate of 65 – by modern standards on the low side – and the Lahore-born batsman knows that he must perk up this area of his game.
“The observation about the need to improve my strike rate is right; overall our batsmen need to play a positive game that can help us compete with the leading teams around the world.”
Azhar concedes that planning, strategising and game awareness remain important factors but solid execution of the plan is the real difference maker.
“Trust me, we know what we have to do. Now the question is, can we? The application and execution of a positive strategy is a tougher task than drawing it on a piece of paper. So from now our focus would be on solid application and execution.”
Azhar’s immediate task is the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The first game is to be played at Mirpur next Friday and on the eve of the team’s departure the captain is confident and assured.
“I can see the hunger in the players; their fitness level is improving all the time which is very heartening. This year is important for us with a huge series against India; hopefully by then we would have built a team that is well and truly ready to take on the best in the world.”
The immediate goal is to turnaround the batting unit; Azhar has one eye on the exploits of AB de Villiers and Brendon McCullum in the recently concluded World Cup down under.
“No doubt these players have taken the game to a new level altogether. Our middle-order can’t bat with a one-dimensional approach, I can assure you that the batsmen would not be cowed down, but we must be patient for the next few months.”
For now, Azhar has the backing of the fans and some of the country’s cricket, but things can take an ugly turn if the team doesn’t return to winning ways soon.
Azhar has entered the fray with a positive and determined outlook and to make a long lasting contribution, he must rise to a new level.
