Azhar hopeful ahead of ODI series against England

LONDON: Not many are giving Pakistan much chance in their One-day International (ODI) series against England despite the visitors’ convincing showing in the recently-concluded four-Test contest.

Pakistan came back from 1-2 down in the Test series, thumping England by ten wickets in the fourth and final Test here at The Oval last Sunday to square the series 2-2.

The tourists, shepherded by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, could have even won the series had they not squandered a sizeable first innings lead in the third Test at Edgbaston.

Pakistan could rise to number in Tests after drawing the series but it’s a different story for them in the 50-over format.

While England are currently counted among the best teams in the ODIs, Pakistan’s stocks in the two white-ball formats has plummeted in recent years.

That’s why when they take the field at Rose Bowl in Southampton on August 24 for the series-opening one-dayer against England, not many would be betting on the green team.

But ask Azhar Ali, who has taken the team’s command from Misbah, and he will tell you that England will be taking Pakistan for granted at their own peril.

Azhar, Pakistan’s ODI captain, said that The Oval triumph has boosted the team’s morale and will propel the players to give their best in the one-day series.

”Yes, the team’s performance in the Test series especially in the last match at The Oval has really lifted our morale for the one-day series,” Azhar told ‘The News’ before catching a flight to Dublin where Pakistan will play a two-match ODI series against Ireland later this week.

But Azhar was quick to add that the team will have to make quick adjustments especially against a top-class team like England.

“One-day is a different format and England are a very strong one-day team which is why we will have to be fully ready to give our best in the series,” said Azhar.

Azhar, who has scored 1249 runs from 33 ODI appearances, said that his players will take a leaf out of the Test side’s book to boost their chances in the ODI series.

“Our Test squad played with a lot of self-belief against England which was the primary reason why we drew the series,” he said.

“I’m confident that the ODI team will also play with the same self-belief and I think that’s a really important feeling that you must have going into any series.”

Azhar, 31, agrees that the higher-ranked England will start as the favourites to win the series but added that Pakistan will give the home team a run for its money.

“If we play up to our potential then this I going to be a very competitive series,” he said.

Pakistan will play the next four ODIs at Lord’s, Nottingham, Leeds and Cardiff before ending their marathon English sojourn with a Twenty20 International at Old Trafford on September 7.

â€"Originally published in The News