By CricketCountry Staff
Azhar Ali, who earned plaudits for his batting in tough conditions, said he wants to put up a consistent performance to cement his place in the Pakistan team.
Published: Oct 09, 2011, 08:31 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 09, 2011, 08:31 PM (IST)
Azhar relishes the challenge of tough opponents and conditions since he feels less pressure to perform © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Rawalpindi: Oct 9, 2011
Azhar Ali, who earned plaudits for his batting in tough conditions, said he wants to put up a consistent performance to cement his place in the Pakistan team.
“If someone comes along and tells me to jump in return for a place in the Pakistan side, I’d do it,” said
Azhar, who had to spend time in Scotland honing his bowling after his action had to modified, said it was a one of the most difficult time in his career.
“There was a period of 3-4 years that I didn’t play consistently. A match here and there was all I got and I wasn’t making any progress.”
But then came KRL who, according to Azhar, not only gave him time in the middle, but also the backing and the push he needed to move up the order.
“I then started playing as an all-rounder and moved up from number six to three.”
The leg-spinner said he enjoys playing against tougher opponents.
“My formula for success is simple: tough conditions, tough opponent, easier for me. If I had made my debut against Zimbabwe on a flat surface, I had no option but to score. At Lord’s, I kept thinking that even if I failed, it’ll be against tough bowlers through an exceptional delivery.”
Twenty-five innings and nine half-centuries later, as Azhar and his followers await that maiden Test ton, he goes back to that afternoon as a kid when he realised how badly he wanted to represent Pakistan.
