Azhar Ali admits he is not batting well

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test captain Azhar Ali admitted on Wednesday that he had not been batting well but said he was trying his best to regain his form.

Talking to reporters at NSK ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, he promised he would try to score runs in Karachi. “When you play international cricket and you don’t perform then criticism is justified and you have to take it positively. Definitely I have been failing to do what I am supposed to do. I am still working hard and will keep trying,” the Test captain side.

He said the moment he felt he was unable to perform well, he would sideline himself. On Fawad Alam’s chances in the second Test, Pakistan captain was of the view that he was unlikely to make into the final XI for the Karachi Test as they would prefer not to change the combination.

However, Azhar praised Fawad’s determination, saying that the batsman has done well and set an example for everyone that one should not give up. “We will utilise his capabilities whenever we feel like using it. Fawad is certainly in our plans and that’s why he’s in the squad,” he said.

Usman Shinwari, who is suffering from typhoid, is likely to be replaced by Yasir Shah, he said. Azhar said that Pakistan would go for winning maximum points from the Test to improve the position on ICC championship points table.

“We have no option but to win the match to improve our position. Pakistan will go all out in this Test,” he added. He commended the performance of Babar Azam and Abid Ali in the first Test and applauded Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. “Both are emerging fast bowlers and are improving day by day. They are the future of Pakistan cricket,” Azhar added.

“It would’ve been easier for me if I had experienced bowlers but these youngsters are good and they’re improving step by step,” he said. He said that with the new domestic structure in the country, Pakistan would produce quality spinners once again.