The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Azhar throws down Pakistan challenge
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has challenged his team to take their Test form on to the one-day stage against England.
The tourists secured a 2-2 series draw in the five-day format earlier this summer and today begin their one-day international series against Eoin Morgan’s men at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Pakistan are now ranked the number one Test team for the first time and Azhar is confident they can spring another surprise and improve their lowly one-day ranking of ninth.
He said: “Confidence is high and the belief is there coming from the Test series – we had a very good couple of months here. We take that confidence into the one-day internationals as well.
“Being number one is a massive boost and a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and the whole nation is very happy about it, and as players the team is really happy about it.
“It’s definitely a good thing for us. Our one-day ranking is not great right now but we will take the opportunity and, the way the team is performing, hopefully we can convert it into the one-day games as well.
“The way England started playing after the World Cup, they played a lot of attacking, fearless cricket and they’ve been performing very well. We know that and we have to be aggressive against them as well. We are all very confident. Nobody rated us very highly – a few people said we would be competitive but there were doubts if we could win the Test matches here.”
Pakistan will come up against fit-again fast bowler Mark Wood and allrounder Ben Stokes, although the latter will only be used as a batsman today.
Former Huntly professional Ali added: “Wood is definitely a very good bowler and Stokes a very good allrounder and batsman. Every player they have could potentially be a match-winner.”