Azhar looks up to Inzamam as Pakistan slump to historic low in one-day cricket
68
Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali Thursday hoped a new coach along with the newly appointed chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, will devise a rescue strategy for his team which slumped to ninth in the one-day international rankings.
If they cannot pull out of the slump by next year to break into the top eight, they face having to play a qualifying round for the 2019 World Cup for the first time ever.
Inzamam was appointed as Pakistan's new chief selector last month after the previous selection committee was disbanded following the national side's long-running dismal state in limited overs cricket which included the disastrous exit from the World Twenty20.
Pakistan are also in search of a new coach after Waqar Younis resigned following the team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
“I think a new selection committee and a new coach will help plan things and I am optimistic that the boys will lift their performances... which we badly need,” Azhar told AFP.
The latest International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking is “worrying”, he said — and Pakistan's prospects for improving appear bleak as they face “challenging” top teams in coming weeks.
Pakistan was briefly ranked ninth after losing to 3-0 to Bangladesh in April last year, but managed to reach eighth before being knocked back once more in the ICC's annual international rankings released Wednesday.
Ali was optimistic his team could rise again.
“We are aware of the latest rankings, which are worrying,” he said.
“We know we have to beat top teams to rise in the rankings and we are quite determined to do that.”
Pakistan plays five one-day internationals in England in August, then two in Ireland before facing the West Indies for up to five matches. They then tour Australia early next year for six one-days.
“For me, our schedule is challenging,” Azhar admitted.
“But we know that beating England and Australia will lift our rankings.
“England will be tough ... We have to be at our best and the only way we can improve our rankings is to beat better and higher-ranked teams.”
He said his team often lets opportunities pass by in ODIs.
“If you look at our series in New Zealand (in January) we should have won that, but we slipped from good positions and lost matches,” he said.
Australia are top of the one-day rankings while England are sixth.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (68) Closed
May 05, 2016 07:59pm
Still have time to change ODI captain and save Azhar Ali so he can still play test cricket where he is good at.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:00pm
Whether we admit it or not... Misbah's self defeating policy, which might have worked in tests, is the reason why are in this mire.
Inzi could be the right man. Under his captaincy Pakistan was no.2 in ODI rankings.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:02pm
Thankyou MNS for bring cricket to this low.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:05pm
Pakistan need ODI captain who has controlled aggression in his game not a defensive minded who wait for things to happen rather than making them happen. I honestly don't think that Azher Ali is good choice. He is best suited for tests. Think PCB!!
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:08pm
pakistan cricket policies are wrong, sarfaraz should be made ODI captain not a t20 captain, record speak for himself, sarfaraz t20 record is very poor, azhar odi record is poor in term of strike rate.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:14pm
5 matches against England, six against Australia and few against WI.....thats a roadmap to ensure we do not improve our ranking
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:13pm
Actually what is needed is an aggressive mindset in leadership along with selfless devotion to the cause of the team.... And yet there were many who thought that we should have been champions of the T20 WC. One set of standards for the T20s and the other for the one day team. Keep it up!!!
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:24pm
Pakistan cricket's decline is due to not being able to keep up with the modern game. They are still stuck in the 80s and 90s. The biggest weakness is lack of batting talent and an average bowling attack. The shorter versions of the game cannot be won without quality explosive batsman who can deliver consistently. Pakistan consumes too much time in trying to build an innings by playing slow and they still lose wickets in the process. You simply cannot win a 50 over game with a defensive, fearful mindset. Pakistan has to find quality aggressive batsmen from somewhere otherwise the writing is on the wall.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:29pm
@Basit Ali, The only way to improve the rankings is to win against good teams,
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:33pm
There's only one t20 in the england series.
Surely appointing sarfaraz captain in that format is totally useless.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:40pm
Azhar is the last person to play in any international ODI match leave alone to be the captain. Azhar Ali is equally to be blamed along with Waqar Younus. Its the fault of the people who appointed him as captain of ODI and kept him there despite the 3-0 Bangla wash.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:44pm
A true barometer of a team and any player is test cricket so I would rather we were 9th in onedayers if we can beat England and Australia in test series and reach no 1. However the main reason for failure in onedayers is picking so called "aggressive batsmen " with poor techniques who can cart around substandard domestic bowling but get found out against a good attack.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:51pm
There is no harm if we play more matches in world cup 2019.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:52pm
Task given to NS is almost done, I bet they will play qualifying for next WC. It seems that for last 8 - 9 years these politicians are settling some score with Pakistan
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 08:56pm
Sarfraz should be captain for both one days and t-20s
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:01pm
Congratulations to the dynamic duo: Shahryar and Sethi. These 2 political appointees have ruined this sport.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:07pm
The major fault on the shoulder of Sharyar, waqar, & Misbah to appoint another tuk tuk Azhar ali is wrong choice as captain, he is not captain material and ODI product, wrong choice wrong team, Pak is suffering due to Azhar ali in Bangla wash, England lost in UAE and doubt Pakistan can beat England in England, Aust and West Indies, his strike rate slow and not performing in ODI if the decision r not change there we will out from 2019. It is sooner is better to replace him in ODI he have no place in team as team member, Pak team need performer and striker as batsman or bowler as captain. It is better Azhar ali h'ble resign and vacant place for right man for right place and give Pakistan to play 2019.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:26pm
Dear media and cricket experts, "Afridi would be the reason of this decline as well
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:34pm
Respectfully disagree with many of the comments here. Azhar's one day average is 41.63 so he deserves to be in the team on that average alone. No other current Pakistan player comes close. We need at least one player, preferably 3-4 who can stick around and score some runs.
Bowling is fine. Every team has been hit around. Pakistani bowlers have done rather well given that the batsmen have not really scored enough runs.
As for captaincy, I think he will do better. If not, then he should be replaced with Safraz.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:48pm
Sometimes by looking in the mirror and introspecting helps too. As professional adults you can't always look for help and blame others.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:58pm
Way to go Inzi. Who else could have axed Afridi, Akmal and Ahmad. Why Inzi has not been credited for his gutsy decisions.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 09:59pm
Waqar is now in IPL, doing commentary...lol
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 10:07pm
There is a strong possibility that Pakistan may not qualify in qualifying rounds for WC 2017.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 10:11pm
He cannot lead Pakistan. Sorry. He may be an ok batsman but he definitely does not look the leader and command the kind of respect you would expect for a captain.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 10:13pm
The days when the sports were just sport and not business are gone. To achieve results in international sports you have to have investment. Talent can take you only so far. It requires good trainers, health officials, psychologists and many other professionals to create a world class player.
That is why Pakistan is lagging in all sports. India was in the same spot but is improving because of the investment that is going in the sports.
Stop blaming the coaches and players. They need help, lots of help and only money can buy that.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 10:28pm
How can it get better
Look at Azhar Ali and see how unfit he is
Compare his fitness to that of Virat Kohli and you can see why Pakistan is in 9 position
Disgraceful fitness level of all Pakistani cricketers
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 10:35pm
To some extent no participation in IPL is responsible for such a worrying condition of pakistani team....rest teams have moved much ahead in all sectors of the game....
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 11:13pm
He is sensible, hard working lad, it that enough to beat top cricketing nations. We all know in bowling department we have all the tools but in batting we need manufacture as i don't see world class talent is coming domestic circuit. Identify batting talent then continuously stick with them, batting by practicing improves unlike bowling.
Recommend
0
May 05, 2016 11:21pm
Azhar Ali is not a genuine captain. He is like Waqar Younis. Remove him immediately we will lose One Day series in England because of him. technically he is a very good batsman in test cricket but not fit for one day cricket. Remove him immediately.
Sarfraz Ahmed is a best choice for captain in all formats and in test next to Misbah.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:23am
In my opinion we should focus on one captain for all 3 formats as he will develop the talents knowingly that these are my players and I have to use them according to their skill and capacity. A defensive captain is not the need of the hour as we have already lost our position which can be attained by playing aggressive cricket. We have talent in Pakistan and the need is to give them confidence and sharpen their skill by training them morally physically mentally to develop national sprit. A player can provide results when he is a team individuality create arrogance and team create sprit to perform. Hope the Cricket Board learn the lesson and promote the Pakistani cricket and take them to the height they deserve.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:31am
@A realist actually what is needed is hard work .
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:36am
I think India should start openly supporting Pakistan to help Pakistan grow.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:39am
Azhar looks upto Inzimam. Inzimam looks upto the PCB. The PCB looks upto the patron in chief. And the patron in chief can't look ato anything that's cricket.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:42am
If Inzy is given free hand to run the show, I have no doubt Pakistan will turn the things around in no time.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 12:53am
Azhar Ali should start preparing for qualifying round without wasting time or resign from captaincy
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 01:24am
@RIZ they still need players besides prayers
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 01:25am
change an ODI captain Azhar ali is not a captaincy material
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 01:34am
Kind of sucks that Pak doesn't get to play at home and that hurts. It would be a lack luster World Cup without Green.
But I think there is too much talent for Pak to not qualify. I still believe that key to winning in one dayers if fielding and good defense. I truly hope that the physical fitness culture is instilled in this team of talented but undisciplined bunch of young men.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 01:42am
@RIZ you are 110% right,the only place for Azhar Ali is in test squad
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 01:42am
Azhar doesn't deserve to be in team to begin with. He was picked by PCB because he was docile and laid back. PCB is afraid aggressive captain can turn against them and wont listen to them.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:01am
Good for us! We will play with minnows and break top records and "hopefully" win the game and everyone will be happy! Blessing in disguise for the nation!!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:09am
Don't understand why Pakistan did not make Inzimam the head coach and bring someone honest like Rashid Latif to be the Chief Selector. Once again they will persist with a foreign coach when what they actually need is a stern desi coach who knows how to instill discipline in this team.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:07am
@Ali How many matches has been won due to Azhar's batting- Zero. Look at his strike rate and runs against top teams on overseas tours vs. matches in UAE, Sri-Lanka and Bangladesh.
All the matches that Pakistan won was when Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfaraz or Afridi gets going. The top three including Hafeez have never performed in crucial do or die matches.
cricinfo.com has all the statistics. They also have the statistics of Waqar Younus WC matches. But the PCB chairman or the selectors don't look at statistics or a players temperament.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:15am
Pakistan needs peace. Then sports and art prosper, people interact, teams visit and rank improves.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:18am
Azhaar should be thrown out.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:22am
@Ali in one day it is not just average, it is strike rate too. 40 average is quite low these days with rules and wickets supporting batsmen.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 03:04am
Well they are just 9th. Can easily play qualifier and defeat all minnows easily to get into big league
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 03:24am
Let's be real and play kabdi not cricket
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 03:37am
Sorry but does he deserve to be in the team? Forget about him being the captain. He is a part of the problem and not the solution.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 03:45am
@Sulaiman Baber Doha, how do you know Misbah selected Azhar as the ODI captain?
Atlanta
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 04:26am
Beating England and Australia on their home grounds won't be easy. However, I bet there is another sure way out!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 05:55am
The first thing Pak cricket needs is to get rid of Sheharyar Khan who makes wrong decisions and then stubbornly sticks with them. It was wrong to persist with Afridi as T20 captain and is wrong to keep Azhar as the Oneday captain.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 06:14am
Azhar, let me share the results for you
Pak will lose to England 5-0; will tie 1-1 with Ireland; will Lose 3-2 to West Indies
and will lose 6-0 to Australia.
There is absolutely no bright prospect coming from the First-class or the PSL tournament that can take on the top rank team unfortunately.
We really have to take different measures to compete, the way England, Australia and New Zealand and even to some extent BanglaDesh have taken. They are all coming up from a 9 - 6th rank positions previously and you can see how they have climbed.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 06:35am
My only question? What has inzimam contributed to Pakistan cricket from the day he left? Did he groom / mentor a single player or help Select any team member under him while being captain for 6 to 7 odd years. What makes anyone think he can come now and create wonders !! This whole Pcb is a fiasco no wonder every foreign coach is turning down the offer to coach our cricketing team.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 06:34am
@Naxalite who is MNS? Sorry I did not get it.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 06:38am
@Cricket FAN Well said.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 07:29am
Azhar Ali is a test batsmen what is he doing in an ODI squad let alone as an ODI captain. i think Pakistan need to move on from the Misbah mindset and shoudnt prolong it.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 08:41am
I wish Inzamam all the best. But he had major problems as captain to handle many. I think either Wasim Akram or Imran Khan is needed to help us achieve our best place again.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 08:43am
Even if now PCB persists with a mediocre in Azhar Ali as Captain/Player in ODIz then we can only ascertain that its intentional!. Many experts have been crying for his removal as he happens to be the worst Captain in PAK history who has literally sunk ODI standards! When this man took over as Captain our position in WT20 was 2nd, it is due to this guy that the trickle down (devastating) impact took place on our T20 Cricket as well. For God Sake SHUNT HIM OUT!!!!!!!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 11:07am
Unless PCB is revamped completely good results are not expected.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 11:19am
@Waqas I doubt if they can even win against minnows. In the past we have lost to Zim., Ireland etc in ODIs.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:08pm
@Dialogue He's happy that he doesn't have to with the Shehzads, Afridis and Akmlas anymore.
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 02:13pm
It's payback time fellas!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 04:06pm
Mr. Azhar Ali: For once think about it its as clear as day light. Your batting style and timid captaincy is no more needed in one day cricket. You are not suitable to this format, hence you yourself is one of the reasons for Pakistans dismal performance, bring in aggressive players and the results will come. You are most suited to test matches if any, in my opinion Sarfaraz should be the captain of one day side at this moment, if the selector is brave enough then he should speak up now!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 05:03pm
Don't select the following type of players:
- Players who indulge more in politics than playing cricket.
- Players who don't perform.
- Players who don't run to save even one run.
- Players who are indisciplined, first on the last the Akmal brothers and Ahmed Shehzad.
Rest will fall in line after making examples of a few. ( Inzi, has already done that ).
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 07:53pm
Azhar Ali is a warrior putting price on his wicket and always playing for the team... he deserves respect! Whether he is the right choice for Captaincy, we have to see if we are willing to lift Shan Masood or Wahab Riaz in leadership roles as they will work well with Mickey Arthur. Azhar Ali could be a great vice-captain.
He bats solid, and he is now bowling too...total class act!
Recommend
0
May 06, 2016 08:11pm
@Adnan : No that is not the reason for Pakistan cricket decline, it is the corruption and favoritism that we have in our country. Our current corrupt government is to be blame for and the corruption that exists within the system. Fix that and everything will be fixed as well.
Recommend
0
May 07, 2016 01:37am
make Sarfaraz captain. Bring some good allrounder and strengthen the opening pair by ask to open with best player .
Need to bring some left handers like Fawad Alam/Owais Zia.
Recommend
0
