Pakistan vs New Zealand 2014: The gritty Azhar Ali

Azhar Ali has shown that he has patience in large quantities when at the crease,  this has served him well. Indrajit Dutta looks at how he’s become a batsman on whom Pakistan can rely on in any situation.

Azhar Ali’s solid 87 off 215 balls was a notable contribution in Pakistan’s 566 for three again New Zealand on Day 2 of the opening Test.

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Had he scored 13 runs more he would brought up a well-deserved hundred, unfortunately he was beaten by a superb delivery from leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. He’s been in a rich vein of form of-late. Prior to the 87 he had struck two centuries in two innings against Australia in the recently contested series.

The Pakistan side have always been prone to batting collapses. It always helps when somebody in the top-order can display calmness when there is chaos at the opposite end. Azhar is one such player.

He’s slowly established himself as Pakistan’s number three since making his debut against in 2010. The 29-year old is not one for flashy shots, he instead likes to build up his innings. The hundreds in the second Test against Australia at Abu Dhabi reflect that. On both occasions he held one end up while at the other end a batsman such as Younis Khan could keep the runs coming.

It’s not as if as he cannot get a move on if the situation demands it. It was his 103 that propelled Pakistan to a famous victory over Sri Lanka in Sharjah earlier this year. Here Misbah ul Haq’s side chased down 302 in the fourth innings and it was Azhar who led the way with his century. The asking rate here was more than five per over but the number three with some fantastic strokeplay went after the bowling. It is clear he can shift gears easily.

The man from Lahore had show early promise in his second Test match itself.  On a seaming Headingly track against Australia he had made an invaluable 51. This knock was instrumental in Pakistan chasing down Australia’s 180 by three wickets. The Pakistanis drew the series in the end.

Shortly afterwards he starred in yet another close contest in which Pakistan beat England at the Oval. Here he made 92 crucial runs in the first innings in a total of 308. Another fine knock by him was a 65 against South Africa in Capetown in 2013. He came in when they were zero for one. Soon they became seven for two . Steyn and Philander had their tail up. He, however, did not lose his head and went onto register a valuable half-century. In the end South  Africa won a close game but Azhar had done well in difficult circumstances yet again.

The 29-year old would be hoping he can continue in his dogged manner and rack up big scores consistently. It would hold him and Pakistan in good stead.

(Indrajit Dutta is a reporter with CricketCountry. He is also a published poet and author. His Twitter handle is @duttaindro)