Azhar Ali expresses concern over managing over rate: The Pakistani captain seems satisfied with the team’s progress in England.
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Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali believes that his teammates require some time to adjust to the English conditions despite them looking in “good shape”. Ali’s comments are all the more reasonable for Pakistani players hadn’t trained back home due to the dire COVID-19 situation.
“Both batsmen and bowlers have adapted to the conditions. The wind was troubling the bowlers initially but they overcame it, which was heartening. Definitely, the players are going to need some time to adjust. Despite the break, they are in good shape which is a positive sign for us,” Ali was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
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On his fourth Test tour of England and first as captain, 35-year old Ali particularly praises senior players in Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Abbas for looking in control during training sessions in Worcester.
“All the batsmen batted quite well especially Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq and Abid Ali seemed in total control. Shan Masood adapted well to the conditions and Mohammad Rizwan looked in good shape.
“Mohammad Abbas is our experienced bowler and his presence is of advantage for us as he also keeps guiding the youngsters. He is someone who can be a very important member of the attack for us. Naseem Shah bowled very well in the scenario-based match. He will attain more control as he continues to bowl,” Ali said.
Azhar Ali expresses concern over managing over rate
Ali also acknowledged that some minor changes to the game in the wake of coronavirus have it in them to affect the sport.
With ICC banning the use of saliva, the move has invited opinions from Australia all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne, fast bowler Mitchell Starc and former batsman Matthew Hayden and current batsman Steve Smith, Indian spinners in Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and England pacer Saqib Mahmood.
“There are some areas where we have to adapt. In this weather, it was only the fast bowlers who sweated so it was a challenge for us to shine the ball. But, that’s something which will change as the weather continues to get warm,” Ali opined.
Apart from the five major rule changes, players especially bowlers will not be able to handover their sweaters or caps to the umpire to restrict the spread of virus, if any. Throwing light on the same, Ali expressed a concern regarding it slowing the over rate for the fielding team.
“The most challenging thing, however, was that the bowlers had to put their sweaters and caps outside the boundary rope because of which managing the over rate was getting a bit difficult.
Especially in Yasir Shah’s case, he fields in the circle but had to go all the way to the boundary to put his things. But, I am comfortable that we will adapt to these changes as we still have a two-day and two four-day matches to play and they will help us,” Ali mentioned.
