Azhar Ali now named as Pakistan ODI captain

[iSK]

Azhar Ali is all set to be appointed as the new
ODI skipper for Pakistan. According to a report
in ESPNcricinfo, it is believed that Misbah-ul-
Haq and coach Waqar Younis preferred Azhar
as a captaincy candidate because he is a safe
and sensible batsman and also because he has
smooth relations with the PCB and the players.

Pakistan are in the midst of making some
changes after they were knocked out by
Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2015 ICC
Cricket World Cup. Misbah, along with Shahid
Afridi, have decided to retire from ODIs
following their exit.

This is a surprising comeback for Azhar. He was
not picked in the World Cup squad while he
played his last ODI against India in Kolkata in
January 2013. In 14 ODIs, he has an average of
41.09 with four fifties. This is not the first time
that Azhar has been considered for the
captaincy post. Following the spot-fixing saga
during the 2010 England tour, he was tipped as
the potential candidate but the then PCB
chairman Ijaz Butt chose Misbah.

Azhar has had captaincy experience. He has led
teams like Lahore Eagles, Lahore Lions, Sui
Northern Gas Pipelines, Khan Research
Laboratories and Baluchistan Warriors. He has
also captained Pakistan at the U-19 level.

There was plenty of speculation about who
would be Pakistan's next ODI captain. There
were several reports which said that Sohaib
Maqsood and Fawad Alam could head the
team.

If Azhar is appointed captain, then
wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed could be the
potential vice-captain of the team and he could
also be Pakistan's new skipper in T20Is,
according to some media reports. Misbah,
though, will continue to lead the Test side while
Azhar will be the vice-captain.

Posted By SarfaRaZ

 

[shawl_who]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

He was not even a part of the WC squad :skd

 

[Prateek Marwadi]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

He was not even a part of the WC squad :skd

i think he was injured bro though i m also not sure
but he is a very very good batsmen

australia vs pakis - last year test series - played very well

 

[shawl_who]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

cud be :u

 

[iSK]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

He was not even a part of the WC squad :skd

Yes he was injured from last 6 months so that's why he was not selected for WC but now he is fit nd ready to play cricket for Pakistan nd also recently he scored a double century in First Class cricket @Karachi :k:tup

 

[inams_sam]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

I don't think that Azhar Ali is right choice. Team Pakistan needs an aggressive captain. I would prefer wahab Riaz or sohaib maqsood instead of Azhar ali

 

[iSK]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

I don't think that Azhar Ali is right choice. Team Pakistan needs an aggressive captain. I would prefer wahab Riaz or sohaib maqsood instead of Azhar ali

But Misbah-ul- Haq and coach Waqar Younis preferred Azhar as a captaincy candidate because he is a safe and sensible batsman :k:tup

 

[inams_sam]

RE: Azhar Ali going to be new Pakistan ODI skipper Soon

But he us too cool for my likings, same as misbah rather more cool and defencive than misbah

 

[iSK]

Azhar Ali named Pakistan ODI captain

Azhar Ali, the Pakistan right-hander, has been
confirmed as Pakistan's new One-Day captain
following the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq after
the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Pakistan Cricket
Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan confirmed
the appointment on Monday. Azhar has not
been in Pakistan's ODI plans for over two years
now, but got the nod for captaincy ahead of
Sarfraz Ahmed following Misbah's and coach
Waqar Younis' backing.

Ali, 30, was not picked in the Pakistan World Cup
squad but will try to help his side through a
period of transition beginning with the series
against Bangladesh next month. Ali aggregates
452 runs in 14 outings at an average of 41.09 in
the 50-over format.

"Azhar has proved he can be captain and [has
shown his mettle in] batting," said Shahryar
Khan addressing the media. "In view of his
character, leadership and team spirit, the
decision has been made to make Azhar new ODI
captain. Sarfaraz will be the vice-captain of Test
and T20s as well. He is full of spirit and has a
fighting character."

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