Pakistan ODI skipper Azhar Ali has revealed that his sole aim is to impose an attacking brand of cricket for which he needs to set the tone for the team’s style of play. PakPassion.net quoted the 30-year-old, as saying that he can’t keep talking about the brand of cricket but needs to play the way he wants the team to play. Ali said he was overjoyed at breaking the record for the player fastest to reach 1000 ODI runs,but said he should not be looked at as only an ODI player. Ali helped Pakistan win two ODI series after being appointed ODI skipper in March 2015. Pakistan cricket hit by player-board contract row once again!
He also became the quickest Asian and Pakistani batsman to score 1000 ODI runs. Ali made his Test debut against Australia in 2010 and ODI debut against Ireland in 2011. He averaged 50.22 in twenty five ODI matches. Despite a front on stance that resembled former Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Ijaz Ahmed, he has gone on to do well for Pakistan in Tests. Azhar has had his fair of share of critics who believe he struggles to convert starts into big scores. However, he has already aggregated five Test hundreds. Azhar Ali seeks revival of India-Pakistan cricketing ties
In 2012, Azhar showcased his ability to play well on a turning track at Dubai by compiling a century against England’s spin twins; Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann. In 2014 he went one step further when he anchored Pakistan’s innings to help them to script a memorable victory against Sri Lanka at Sharjah. However, he has only played a handful of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan, as he isn’t known as a quick scorer.
