Azhar hopes to fill Misbah void
One Day International skipper Azhar Ali hopes he can fill the void left by suspended Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq when they face New Zealand in Hamilton on Friday.
Azhar will lead the side as the 42-year-old skipper serves a one match suspension after being sanctioned by the ICC for his team’s slow over rate in the first Test in Christchurch.
Misbah has led Pakistan in 50 Test matches leaving Azhar with enormous boots to fill and that fact has not been lost on Azhar.
Azhar told the Dawn: “It certainly is a massive blow given he [Misbah] and Younis Khan have been our mainstays for such a long time.
“I have full belief in our players that we will rise to the occasion and win the Test so that we draw the series and go to Australia [for the next series] with our morale high.
“I have very big boots to fill as Misbah is an inspirational captain but this is my first Test as skipper and I want to make it memorable for myself and the country.”
The man who scored the first ever century in a day/night Test has backed his team’s ability to bounce back in trying conditions just like they did in England.
Azhar added: “We have shown that we have the potential to come back strongly … just as we did in the England series [in July-August] where we came back from losing back-to-back Tests to draw the series 2-2.”
Pakistan square off with New Zealand at Sneddon Park in Hamilton from Friday.
Latest
-
County CricketLancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
EnglandJos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South AfricaTemba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
EnglandJos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
EnglandJason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
EnglandEngland batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
EnglandJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
EnglandEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's CricketEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
EnglandJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.