Pakistani New ODI Captain Azhar Ali wallpaper
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Azhar Ali Pakistan's new ODI captain, and Test vice-captain. Misbah-ul-Haq will remain the Test captain while Shahid Afridi will continue to lead the Twenty20 side. There were changes in the selection committee as well, with former batsman Haroon Rasheed appointed the new chief selector. The PCB for the first time introduced a bona fide vice-captain for each format. The appointment, according to the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, is not a long-term prospect but for the "time-being." Sarfraz Ahmed was named vice-captain for the limited-overs formats.
"Using my constitutional right as chairman I have appointed Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI captain," Shaharyar said in a press conference in Lahore on Monday. "There were four to five recommendations for captaincy but I didn't want to go back, and wanted to look ahead for young players. I know Azhar Ali was not in the team for the last two years, not even in the World Cup squad but his performance in the Pentangular Cup recently proved that he has the ability for the job.
Azhar has played only 14 ODIs and last played in January 2013, despite having an average of 41.09. The 30-year-old is a regular in the Test XI, providing a steadying influence at No. 3. His strike rate in limited-overs cricket had always restrained the chances of an ODI call, though in recent times he has improved in that aspect. He was the leading run-scorer in the Pentangular Cup with 302 runs at an average of 60.40 and strike rate of 86.28. In the President's Gold Cup, he scored 234 runs with a strike rate of 86.98.
"I know this [strike rate] has been a point of concern in the past but in last one-and-half year I have definitely got this issue covered and have improved as well," Azhar said. "I have been working hard at NCA and my domestic record has already improved. So I am satisfied and when I get a chance I am going to prove it."
When asked how he would deal with players like Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad, who are more experienced than him, Azhar said: "I have captained them in the past and it shouldn't be any problem in the future as well. They are good players and I hope they will be better in my captaincy."
