LAHORE - Newly appointed Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali Saturday ruled out any major or sudden changes in Pakistan team’s approach as rather breaking in the race they should gradually bring on a change. Azhar said he understands the demands of modern cricket and hoped to get his young team to match the level. Azhar added that the onus was on the batsmen to lift their games and support the bowlers who have been playing their part well.
Recently named the ODI captain, Azhar, 30, has played only 14 matches, the last of them in January 2013. Although his strike rate has been a talking point, his promotion was seen as a continuation of stability akin to that provided by Misbah-ul-Haq and he will lead the team for the first time on tour starting with the first of three one-day internationals in Dhaka on Friday.
Azhar said his team will not take Bangladesh lightly after their strong World Cup performance, promising a tough fight from his young players next week. Azhar said his team is ready for Bangladesh, who shocked England to also reach the World Cup quarter-finals, where they lost to India.
"Bangladesh's performance in the World Cup was good and they looked a much-improved side. They are also tough in their condition, so we are no way going to take them lightly," Azhar told reporters on the last day of the training camp. There will be two teams fighting and I believe my young boys will perform well," said Azhar about the tour where Pakistan will also play a Twenty20 international followed by two Tests.
Azhar said his young team, including new uncapped opener Sami Aslam, will progress with time. "I understand cricket has changed a lot and obviously we do have to take our cricket forward in a positive way. But if you expect a sudden change that is not going to happen as rather breaking in the race we should gradually bring on a change."
Azhar said he was inspired by former captain Misbah, who is still leading Pakistan's Test side. "I have a big example of Misbah who led Pakistan in tough times and positively. Being a team member I saw a lot of good things in him, how he handled the situations so this is going to help me. There are a lot of great captain around the world, but for me Misbah is the best captain I have played with."
Azhar said he was improving, just like his team. "As a team everyone has a role. But yes, bowlers have definitely done well in the World Cup, so we are going to rely on them but it's important that batsmen should also feel the sense of responsibility," he said. "Cricket as I said is changing and we as a team have to play with a positive frame of mind. These players… all are coming up after performing at the domestic level and they are in form as well, so I don't think there should be any problem and you will see a much-improved batting side."
"I am seeing how excited the players are," Azhar said. "They want to do something for Pakistan and I am assured they it will be a different side. My approach varies accordingly but the team is like a family and has to create a friendly atmosphere. So if you manage well you can apply any sort of approach rather only being aggressive. But they are responding exactly the way I wanted them to be.”