It feels good to be heading to Australia with a Captain that averaged 81 in his first and only Test series there. He had a phenomenally consistent series there as an opening batsman in 2016-17 and didn’t deserve to be in a team that lost 3-0. His determined dogged approach frustrated the Aussies greatly. And the attack in that series is more or less the same this time around with Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon. But Cummins will present a new and tough challenge.
Azhar shared many memorable moments at the crease with now coach Misbah like Azhar’s first Test century in 2011 against the Sri Lankans, the Sharjah run chase vs Sri Lanka, being there throughout in a thrilling partnership during Misbah’s fastest Test century five years exactly today against Australia where Azhar himself scored a second century in the match too like Misbah and of course when Azhar got his 300 in Pakistan’s 400th Test and first day night Test in Dubai 2016 against the West Indies Misbah was at the other end for the special moment then as well.
Congratulations to Azhar Ali on being appointed Pakistan Test Captain. Should have got the gig in 2017 as Misbah’s successor, but better late than never. Azhar scored 14 Test centuries in 52 of the 56 Tests under Misbah that he played. He is a similar type of character and leader to Misbah in that he is calm, uncontroversial, speaks decent enough English and has the defensive technique and temperament to enjoy batting for long periods without worrying about fancy scoring rates. He is a responsible, thinking and sensible cricketer who will not say too much like Sarfraz. He is the type of captain that will lead by example through sheer weight of runs and spending hours in the middle gutsing it out rather than talking too much in the field or trying to be a funky tactician. Every Test country like India in Kohli, Root in England, Williamson in New Zealand, Du Plessis in South Africa and Smith when he returns to captaincy for Australia – have their premier Test batsman leading them. And Azhar is Pakistan’s premier Test batsman in terms of runs, experience and individual Test batting ranking over a sustained period of time.
Azhar Ali has scored or played the:
Most Test runs in current Pakistan players.
Most Test matches in current Pakistan players. 73.
Most Test series in current Pakistan players. 31.
Most Test centuries in current Pakistan players. 15.
Most Test 50s in current Pakistan players. 31.
Most Test 50+ in current Pakistan players. 46.
Azhar Ali vs Tim Paine this month. Both made their Test debuts in the same game. The unique experience of playing a neutral Test Match at Lord’s in 2010. But above all, good to see Misbah & Waqar’s recommendation as ODI captain after the 2015 WC finally getting a go in his premier format.
Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI Captain.
Won 12 | Lost 18 | NR 1.
Won 5 series and Lost 5 series.
Own Performance: 3 100s and 5 50s.
He has captained once before in Test Cricket during the 2nd Test against New Zealand in Hamilton November 2016 where he made a 2nd innings half century.
Rather than concentrating on Sarfraz’s removal as T20 captain, I’m above all pleased that a genuine top quality Test batsman is leading Pakistan in the five day game who is the closest Pakistan have for a like for like replacement for Pakistan’s winningest Test Captain in Misbah.
Big responsibility for Azhar in leading Pakistan in the first ever World Test Championship, particularly with Pakistan having challenging away Test assignments in Australia, England and New Zealand in the next 14 months to make up the three away series they have to play in the World Test Championship, but as someone who isn’t active in white ball international cricket anymore he can at least put all his focus and energies on the five day format with the aim of making the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on 10th-14th June 2021 against most probably India who are currently in a dominant position on the table having played and gained maximum points from a third of their six allocated series within the Test Championship cycle already.
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