Tag: Azhar Ali

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on Friday provided an update regarding veteran batter Azhar Ali’s injury scare during the post-match press conference after the conclusion of Day 4 of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test.

According to the PCB spokesperson, Azhar will undergo an X-Ray at a local hospital here as a precautionary method to examine a likely injury that the former sustained on the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test.

“Azhar Ali’s finger is injured. He is being taken for the x-rays,” shared the PCB media manager.

“If there is any more information, we will share it,” he added.

Ollie Robinson’s short ball struck Azhar hard and hurt his index finger. The physio treated the right-handed batter on the field, but he made the decision to return to the pavilion.

It is pertinent to mention that the fiery England side turned the dull Rawalpindi Test into an enthralling contest as they put Pakistan to bat again on the same day and took wickets to put the home team under pressure.

Pakistan, however, are perfectly positioned to win the first Test as they require 263 runs on the final day to take a lead in the three-match series.

READ: Bangladesh beat strong India in low-scoring thriller 

WORCESTER: Pakistan veteran batter Azhar Ali has been re-signed by the Worcestershire County Cricket Club for the next county season, prolonging his stay at New Road after he joined the club earlier this year in February. 

Taking to Twitter, Worcestershire CCC confirmed the signing of the right-handed batter for the county season 2023.

𝗔𝗭𝗛𝗔𝗥'𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✍️

We're delighted to announce Azhar Ali will be staying at New Road in 2023, signing as one of our overseas players 🙌

We can't wait to have you back @AzharAli_

Read more 👉 https://t.co/qJowoZMdu8

💚 #WeAreWorcestershire | 🍐 #Pears pic.twitter.com/1KRb0o8XzN

— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) September 1, 2022

Azhar made significant contributions to the club this year as he accumulated 607 runs in eight games at an average of 46.69 in the county championship and played a phenomenal knock of 130 against Northants in the Royal London Cup.

“Being part of the Worcestershire setup has been such an enjoyable experience for me, and I’m delighted to be coming back for another year,” said Azhar

The 37-year-old has a formidable List A record as he has scored 6278 runs at an average of 47.20 with 17 hundreds and 36 half-centuries.

“Azhar has loved it here and wants to come back and do a job for us again next season, and we are delighted he has signed for another year,” confirmed Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group Chairman, Paul Pridgeon.

“Azhar has done really well for us. We think he is a brilliant cricketer, he has fitted into our dressing room, and the players love him,” he added.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allowed its seven centrally-contracted players to participate in the forthcoming second edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL).

According to the details, the tournament director of KPL Rashid Latif requested the PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja to get the centrally-contracted players on board for the upcoming second edition.

After successful talks between the KPL management and the PCB, the cricket board has given a green signal to seven players to participate in the league, commencing on August 1.

As a result, Fawad Alam (Red Ball Category B), Azhar Ali (Red Ball Category A), Abid Ali (Red Ball Category D), Nauman Ali (Red Ball Category C), Haseebullah, Mohammad Huraira, Ali Usman (all three Emerging Category) will be available for selection in KPL draft, scheduled on July 21.

It is pertinent to mention here that, unlike its inaugural edition, KPL 2 will not feature foreign players. However, KPL president Arif Malik claimed that the PCB permitted them to draft only those foreign players, who retired from international cricket five years ago.

READ: ECB security delegation reviews arrangements of Pak-England series

LAHORE: Pakistan’s experienced batter Azhar Ali, who recently became fifth Pakistani and 54th overall batter to reach the milestone of scoring 7,000 runs in Test cricket, said he is happy that he achieved the milestone in his home ground.

Azhar, while talking to the virtual press conference, expressed happiness for completing the remarkable feat in his first Test at his home ground.

“I am happy to complete 7,000 runs in Lahore. But unfortunately, I could not stay at the crease for long and score big,” he said.

The right-handed batter then commented about Pakistan’s collapse in the third session of day three, said it happens in Test cricket, while at the same time lauded Australian captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for the brilliance with the ball.

“It happens in a Test match. But, the credit must go to Cummins and Starc, who bowled really well,” he said.

“Their bowlers are world-class, and the way they bowled in these conditions is simply outstanding,” he added.

The former Pakistan captain also opined about the pitch and the playing conditions, commented it is not easy to score runs in these conditions.

“It is not so easy on such pitch. It is difficult for new batsmen to get set and score freely,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that our batters could not set and as a result wickets tumble one after the other. But, we trust the abilities of our batters, it happens sometimes that the batting line-up flops. I think we should not doubt the ability of our players,” he said.

The right-handed batter went on to comment about the match situation, shared that now the target is to take early wickets of the opposition.

“We are having a hard time at the moment, now the aim is to get Australia out early,” he said.

“Tomorrow is an important day for us and we need to bowl well. No target is easy in the fourth innings as Australia are already leading by more than 130 runs,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia have scored 11/0 at the stumps on day three. The touring side is currently leading by 134 runs as Pakistan bowled out for 268 in response to Australia’s 391.

READ: Cummins, Starc star to put Australia in the commanding position 

LAHORE: Pakistan’s former captain and the right-handed experienced batter has completed 7,000 runs in Test cricket during the ongoing third Test between Pakistan and Australia, here on Wednesday.

Azhar, who is playing his first Test at his home ground and the 94th overall for Pakistan, has become only the fifth Pakistani batter to achieve the milestone of scoring 7,000 Test runs.

The right-handed batter has joined Younis Khan, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf in the list of the Pakistani batters to score more than 7,000 runs.

In world cricket, however, Azhar has become the 54th cricketer to achieve this stunning feat.

The right-handed batter has scored 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in his ongoing Test career. He was also the first batter to score a triple-century in a day-night Test.

READ: PCB formally inducts Waqar Younis into the Hall of Fame

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s experienced batter Azhar Ali, who played a sensational 185-runs knock against Australia in the ongoing first Test, credited Australian bowlers for not allowing the home side to score freely.

Azhar, while talking to the post-match presser, revealed that the Pindi Stadium pitch was quite challenging and scoring the runs freely was not an easy task.

“The Australian bowlers bowled really well, due to which we couldn’t carve out the runs freely,” he said.

The veteran also revealed his desire to score a double-ton but remained short of 15 runs as the opposition bowlers did not allow the smooth run flow, also claimed that he likes to score runs against Australia.

“I wanted to score a double hundred, but they did not allow quick runs. When I took risks against spinners, I got out,” he said, after falling to a reverse sweep off part-time spinner Marnus Labuschagne.

“I enjoy scoring runs against Australia, who are definitely one of the top teams in the world,” said Azhar, whose hundred was his fourth against the visitors over the years.

He further claimed that the pitch will become more challenging by the conclusion of day three, however, acknowledged that the team needs to do good planning to get the opposition out.

“I think the pitch will become more challenging by the end of the third day and it would become more difficult to freely score runs,” he said.

“We have to do good planning against the Australian team, as it will not be easy to get their batters out,” he added.

Azhar also showed delight upon Imam-ul-Haq’s magnificent first Test century as the left-handed batter played a brilliant 157-runs knock.

“I am glad to see Imam performing so well in Test matches as his performance in ODIs was already excellent,” Azhar said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan declared their first innings at 476-4 in 162 overs before the early stumps, which resulted in Australia only managing to score 5/0 as the touring side’s openers could only bat for a single over.

READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round power show puts India on top

LAHORE: Test cricketer Azhar Ali is not only ready to host Australia but giving them tough time in three-match Test series, scheduled at his home soil in March. 

The Test series sees historic return of the Australian team to the cricket-starved country after 24 years. The Aussies will play three Tests, as many ODIs and a T20I against Pakistan in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi in March-April this year.

“Its a historic moment for all of us being an enthusiast cricket nation,” Azhar said while talking to the reporters here on Saturday.

“We are not only ready to be good hosts but also tough opponents. This series is going to be interesting for our fans who haven’t seen Australia playing here for so many years,” he added.

Azhar, on the other hand, is focused on the preparations for the Test series which is a part of ICC Test Championship. “The series is important for both the teams as it is part of ICC Test championship,” he said.

“We will try to be prepared strongly for the series. Australia will also try to come with full strength as it is part of ICC Test championship,” the Test opener concluded.

READ: Australia thump Pakistan to qualify for U19 World Cup’s semi-final

LAHORE: Pakistan’s test cricketer Azhar Ali shared his thoughts on being removed from the captaincy multiple times while giving interview in the ARY News’ program Bouncer.

Azhar, who is currently playing for Pakistan in the test format disclosed that the former captain felt really gutted when he was removed from the captaincy and did not feel that to be a right decision.

“I was given the responsibility of the captaincy after the 2015 WC in which Pakistan team did not perform well and we had to rebuild a team. There is no uncertainty that our performance was not good and we were thrashed by most of the teams but that was the rebuilding phase and I think when the team came on the right track I was removed from the captaincy.” Azhar said.

” I am not a yes-man, being a diplomat is good. I feel one should not make noise if the work can be done silently.” he added.

“I think it is unfair to label players for certain things, I was labelled as a test player and was assumed as if I can not make an impact in T20s which I feel was wrong.” Azhar said further.

Azhar also admitted that he and Asad Shafique faced unnecessary criticism after the departure of Misbah and Younis. “Despite my good performance, I was mistreated. Asad Shafiq was unnecessarily criticized and sidelined. He is a good player.”, he concluded.

READ: ‘We have made strong position in the game’ Abid Ali