LAHORE: Earlier in the week when Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, was handed the prestigious ICC Test mace here for inspiring Pakistan to the top spot in the limited overs format, commentators lamented the One-Day International (ODI) team’s all-time low ranking in the 50-over format.

Pakistan were at the receiving end in a 4-1 drubbing by Eoin Morgan-led England in England that dampened the team’s chances of automatic qualification for the ICC World Cup in 2019.

However, the upcoming three one-dayers against the West Indies come with an opportunity for skipper Azhar Ali to silence his detractors, as a clean-sweep by Pakistan will see them move one position up in the ICC ODI Rankings to number eight.

“The series against the West Indies is a good opportunity for us to put ourselves on the winning track,” said Azhar, Pakistan ODI skipper, in an exclusive interview with Dawn on Saturday.

“We not only have to win the West Indies series but to perform very well in the future contests as well to improve our chances for 2019 World Cup. But there is definite hope and still a lot of time for the cut-off date for the World Cup qualification.”

“I try not to listen too much what media is saying because often it is not helpful.”

The top seven teams, by September 30, 2017, in the ODI rankings along with England will secure automatic qualification for the global tournament to be held on the British Isles.

Pakistan, who last took on the West Indies during the 2015 ICC World Cup and lost by 150 runs, have a fair record of seven wins to five losses over Jason Holder’s men in the last five years.

The 31-year-old Azhar is, therefore, hopeful about continuing the good run and responded with an authoritative ‘yes’ when asked about his team’s chances of inflicting whitewash over the West Indies.

However, as almost an after-thought, he said: “They [West Indies] are a tough opposition no doubt and have some explosive cricketers in their ranks.”

Under Azhar’s leadership, Pakistan’s performances in the 50-over game has clearly gone down. The team has registered just nine wins against 15 losses in 25 contests since April last year.

“For the last two years our performances in the limited overs cricket hasn’t been up to the mark,” admits Azhar.

“It is because our main players have retired while key players such as Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez have been banned from bowling in international cricket.

“We could defend 250-260 back then but the oppositions today have greater batting depth and a total of 300 is frequently acheived,” Azhar said over phone from Dubai.

“We have a good bowling unit, but we can certainly do better,” he added. “We have also struggled in the fielding department as well.”

In the five-match ODI series against England recently, the Pakistani batsmen surrendered quite easily to English bowling.

However, they did manage to salvage some pride in the last ODI by chasing a handsome 303 — Pakistan’s first ever chase of over 300 outside Asia against a non-Asian cricketing nation.

“We need to work on our batting. Today’s cricket is fast and the average scores today have gone up by 50 runs. We therefore have to raise our game accordingly to contemporary standards,” emphasised Azhar.

Despite Pakistan’s batting woes, Azhar, as an individual, has remained a consistent performer over the years with a fine average of 40.50 with two hundreds — both as captain of the team.

However, it is his strike rate that has remained under question over the years since it lies in the mid-70s. But since becoming the captain he scored at 8.5 runs per 10 balls which heartening indeed.

“I wanted to play in the ODI format when I was out of the 50-over team. I was only featuring in the Test cricket at the time, but it helped me a lot. It gave me the desired experience.”

“We have a good bowling unit, but we can certainly do better.”

After being dropped from the ODI side after the short tour of India in 2012-2013 — where the right-handed batsman managed just 11 runs in two matches — Azhar made a strong comeback as a captain with a fluent 72 off 73 balls against Bangladesh in Bangladesh.

He went on to score 36 and 101 in the next two games of the same series but Pakistan lost the series 3-0.

His captaincy has been under scrutiny since.

The ongoing month started with the calls for his removal from the post due to the drubbing against England. But Azhar remains undaunted by the grim situation.

“I try not to listen too much what media is saying because often it is not helpful,” he observed.

“As a player and as a professional we all have to go through such times but I’m trying to do my best. It is an honour for me to lead Pakistan and I have enjoyed the task thoroughly.”

Also read: Mistakes under pressure allowed England to post 444, accepts Azhar Ali

Published in Dawn September 25th, 2016