Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali on Thursday (April 9) said it is hard to change the perception of him being a defensive skipper, but insisted that a leader is as good as his team and the conditions on offer in order to maintain a balance to be successful at the highest level.
After having taken over as Test captain from Sarfaraz Ahmed in October last year, Ali led Pakistan in five Test matches so far, losing in Australia 0-2 in his first assignment but then managed to win the home series against Sri Lanka 1-0 and the one-off Test against Bangladesh as well.
“It is hard to change perception. Very soon we come to a conclusion and stick to it”, Azhar told local reporters via video conference when asked about the popular perception of him being a defensive captain and coach Misbah-Ul-Haq also cut from the same cloth.
The skipper further explained, “I bat with composure and I take the time that does not mean I am a defensive captain. If you see greatest captains and see teams...90s Australia and early 2000s they had bowlers who used to set fields themselves. They were so good. It is easier to do attacking captaincy with such a team. In Dubai, fast bowler is bowling you can't keep four slips. In Pakistan also where conditions are flat you have to have balance.”
The 35-year old also said his main aim to play fearless cricket and give consistent performances to regain the number one Test spot, adding: “My plan is to play fearless cricket. The target is to prove ourselves one of the best Test sides and for this, we have to perform exceptionally in home and away series. In our series against England and New Zealand, we need to prove our mettle, as this will be a great step towards becoming a number one side.”
He further said, “We can’t be a number one Test team if we keep on winning the home series, rather we need to produce extraordinary results in away series as well. While in-home series, we have to outclass the opponents convincingly to get significant points to get a rapid rise in rankings. This is all about our plan and we are focused and committed to achieving it. If every player plays fearless cricket, shoulder his responsibility and gives consistent performance, no one can stop us to achieve our goal.”
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Elaborating his long-term goal with the national Test side, Azhar said: “I am trying to get rid of the fear factor. They should play in a free mind. That team culture needs to be developed. Every player should think about the team and there should be a relaxed atmosphere. You cannot perform under pressure and in a level-headed approach, consistency will come. It will also help in decision making.”
Azhar also called for improved bowling shows in the longest format of the game to get overseas success in countries like Australia, England South Africa, and New Zealand. He added, “Now teams are not doing well away. We have not done well in those countries because, we performed decently but in Australia, they make so many runs. If we don't get early wickets it's difficult to come back. This time bowling attack did not have experience. But previously also if you see experienced bowlers have not done well.
We have to stop them from making big runs. In South Africa, it was bowling friendly wickets but we lacked in batting and could not get them out. We need to get them out with our fast bowling. We score hundreds and get 300-plus totals. But we need to get them out to win in Australia and South Africa.”
The skipper also wants to bring an optimistic approach in the dressing room while insisting that the Test selection can only happen if a player has done well in four-day cricket.
Ali signed off by saying, “I want to make the team fearless and positive towards their approach. The team usually gets tensed when they’re under pressure but I want to change this approach through proper guidance and counseling. The test is a different format. We can't judge a player based on his T20 performance. You can gauge player temperament but performance has to be backed with four-day cricket.”
(With IANS Inputs)
