Pakistan’s One-Day International (ODI) captain Azhar Ali told that his side will look to qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after putting a strong performance in the ICC Champions Trophy.
“The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is a crucial event for us and as a team our main goal will be to win as many matches as possible so that we can improve our team ranking and qualify automatically for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019,” he said in a statement after the ICC announced the Champions Trophy scheduled in London on Wednesday.
The fixtures were announced exactly an year before the first ball of the tournament will be bowled. The 18-day long tournament will see 15 matches be played at three venues.
“A lot of ODI cricket is scheduled in the lead up to the ICC Champions Trophy and it will be our best chance to learn, improve and win as many matches as possible so that we arrive in England and Wales next year fully prepared and ready for the challenge,” the Pakistan captain said.
“The ICC Champions Trophy is one trophy which is missing from our cabinet. It has earned the status as one of the most demanding, challenging and intense competitions. So, it will be nice if we can get our hands on this piece of silverware next year.
“In the face of competition from some outstanding teams and players, it will not be easy, but success at any global event comes only after persistent preparations and efforts, which have to be backed up by consistent performances. I am hoping that over the next 12 months, we will be able to build on our strengths and achieve our objectives,” he added.
Spot-fixing saga is behind Amir
Azhar Ali threw his support behind Mohammad Amir for the team’s forthcoming tour of England, saying the spot-fixing episode is behind the pacer.
Amir, 24, is seen as Pakistan’s main weapon for the team’s tour of England, where they will play four Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 between July and September.
Amir has returned strongly since his five-year ban for spot-fixing was lifted in September last year, taking five wickets in the two one-day internationals against New Zealand in January and as many wickets in 11 Twenty20 games.
Ali said the sordid episode is firmly behind his bowler.
“The 2010 case is past (for Amir) and now we need to look forward,” said Ali, when asked if the case still haunts Amir.
Amir, along with then Test captain Salman Butt and pace partner Mohammad Asif, was charged for taking illegal money in return for deliberate no-balls during the Lord’s Test in August 2010.
The three were briefly jailed in the UK before returning to Pakistan to serve out the rest of their ban.
“It’s been a while now since the case, Amir has gelled with us well. It could have been tough had he come straight for such a tour but now after playing with us for long, things have settled for him,” said the captain.
Ali said the toughest phase of Amir’s comeback has since passed but noted that his return to England could spur additional stress.
“I know England was the place where the incident (in 2010) happened but hopefully he can handle the pressure the same way he did on his comeback (in January).”
However, the captain said the team is prepared to back Amir and would deal with any issues if they arise.
“But still if anything happens we as a team will handle it. We have full faith in him to deliver,” said Ali of the left-arm bowler who took 17 wickets in the 2010 series and was the man of the series for Pakistan.
Pakistan will play two warm-up games in the first week of July before the first Test starts at Lord’s from July 14.
