Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali says he did really feel stress when he was struggling to attain runs within the misplaced sequence towards England however the considered quitting captaincy by no means crossed his thoughts. Pakistan lost the three-Test series 0-1 as the ultimate Check additionally led to a draw on Tuesday after the 2 groups performed out a draw within the second recreation in Southampton. Azhar confronted criticism for his run drought earlier than scoring 100 within the first innings of the third Check.
“No, I remained centered on this sequence. This consideration by no means entered my thoughts. Sure there was stress however I used to be focussed on my performances,” he informed reporters when requested if he wished to stop as captain in the course of the sequence.
“After we misplaced the primary Check, as captain I needed to bear the stress and criticism. However I vowed to show it round with my performances and the quantity of expertise we had in our workforce administration additionally helped us recover from the primary take a look at defeat and transfer on.”
England received their first Check sequence towards Pakistan since 2010.
“We’re dissatisfied at not having the ability to win the sequence. We got here right here to not solely draw the sequence however to win it. We bought our alternative however missed it. Credit score additionally goes to England; they took benefit of alternatives,” he mentioned.
England, chasing 277 runs to win the primary Check, have been 117 for 5 earlier than Jos Butler and Chris Woakes rallied them round and took them to an surprising victory.
Azhar conceded that when one loses a match from a powerful place the dressing room ambiance turns into tough for a workforce to rally again.
“Groups crumble however the good factor is that this did not occur to us and we remained as a bunch and fought again within the subsequent Check,” he added.
Azhar mentioned he has at all times revered the opinion of former gamers and analysts and takes criticism on his chin.
“As captain solely I do know what’s the scenario on the sphere, what’s going on within the thoughts of the bowlers, what the bowler is pondering, issues that folks sitting outdoors do not know.
“Everybody has their opinion and I respect them however as captain, you realize that in sure circumstances you could not have performed that. However I give worth to everybody’s opinion however it’s true it’s totally different for people who find themselves on the spot and taking choices.”
“On the spot as captain, you assess and take choices based on match circumstances and based on the situation and psychological state of gamers.”
Azhar additionally conceded that he had made a slight change to his stance to get again into type within the third take a look at however mentioned it’s by no means simple to go away consolation zone throughout a sequence.
“When a participant has runs beneath his belt he has a consolation stage, however when the opposition has labored on you, it not simple to make adjustments to your method in a sequence. In 2016 additionally I confronted issues in England. However I modified my stance and it labored for me.”
Azhar additionally backed Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam.
“Asad did not have sequence however we’ll proceed to again him as he had two good sequence earlier to coming to England. Babar batted with authority within the sequence and I believe you’ll be able to’t count on a batsman to attain huge runs on a regular basis. Generally you want persistence however he’s an instance for us.”
Promoted
He did concede that younger quick bowler, Naseem Shah wanted to realize extra expertise and be taught extra as he did not stay unto expectations within the sequence.
“He has tempo and I assumed he bowled towards prime gamers like Joe Root and Ben Stokes and he would have learnt and I hope he retains on enhancing.”
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