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Azhar Ali returns to Somerset for his 3rd stint with the County side

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Somerset have once again signed Azhar Ali. He will be available for at least three of Somerset’s remaining County Championship matches and subject to qualification, the Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1427950359104958475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Somerset County Cricket Club are delighted to be able to announce the return of Azhar Ali.

The former Pakistan Captain will be returning to the Cooper Associates County Ground for a third stint with the Club, subject to obtaining the appropriate visa and NOC.

The 36-year-old batsman first joined Somerset in 2018 and returned the following season, during which he played a vital role in Somerset’s Royal London Cup success.

During his time with Somerset, he proved himself to be a quality performer on the field, whilst at the same time becoming an integral element of the Club’s off field culture.

In his 17 First Class matches for the Club he has scored over 800 runs with a best of 125. He was also presented with his County Cap by Marcus Trescothick in 2019.

He will be available for at least three of Somerset’s remaining LV= Insurance County Championship matches and, subject to qualification, the Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord’s.

Regarding his return, Azhar Ali said: “I am very excited to be returning to Somerset. It has become like a second home for me. It is a special Club and I hope that I can contribute to more success because the Members, staff and supporters deserve it. I have been made to feel so welcome in my previous times with the Club and I look forward to representing the County again this year.”

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “Azhar Ali is a class act, both on and off the field. His performances speak for themselves, but what people don’t see is the amount of time he is happy to devote to working with the younger players throughout the squad. He embodies everything that you want an overseas player to be.

“His experience and quality will be invaluable to us in the Championship run in, and we are delighted to have secured the services of someone of his class and character who truly understands the fabric of the Club at such a key period of the red-ball season.”

https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/club-news/azhar-ali-returns/
 
I do hope he makes a difference for Somerset as his current form isn't that hot.
 
Big deal that despite his poor form Somerset have gone ahead and signed him up.

Will have to repay them by getting his game back could've done with some work in the nets with Tresco had he been around and sort out his alignment and all.
 
Wish him well. A true gentleman and a credit to Pakistan. His best years may be behind him but he will provide invaluable experience and always give his best.
 
This may well prove to be a golden opportunity for Azhar to extend his international career by at least one more season (even if he fails to score vs WI in 2nd test) because wickets in late England summer are beautiful to bat on (compared with wickets in May and June) So this means that it's an excellent opportunity for him to score at least one century in the three games that he is going to be playing.

That one century / inning is going to be used as an excuse to give him an extended run in the national team for upcoming season and he likely will play all of the test matches.
 
This may well prove to be a golden opportunity for Azhar to extend his international career by at least one more season (even if he fails to score vs WI in 2nd test) because wickets in late England summer are beautiful to bat on (compared with wickets in May and June) So this means that it's an excellent opportunity for him to score at least one century in the three games that he is going to be playing.

That one century / inning is going to be used as an excuse to give him an extended run in the national team for upcoming season and he likely will play all of the test matches.

Azhar Ali is averaging 50 in test cricket this year, he deserves to stay in the team regardless of whether he has a successful stint with Somerset or not.
 
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Not included in game vs Notts

E-B1xmJXEAAKZxU
 
Out for 24 vs Yorkshire in his first game of this stint.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Couple of nice drives from Azhar Ali and Somerset have reached 38/2 under sunny skies <br><br>LIVE STREAM ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/dF6GhNA901">https://t.co/dF6GhNA901</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YORvSOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YORvSOM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/V0tfhXjWZR">pic.twitter.com/V0tfhXjWZR</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1434460992898052099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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Azhar Ali playing for Somerset in the Somerset vs Lancashire, Division 1
 
He struggling even in club cricket and we rely on this so called experienced player at Internationals. Time is up for him.
 
He struggling even in club cricket and we rely on this so called experienced player at Internationals. Time is up for him.

Nope. Time is not up on him. He is still our best test batsmen
 
Nope. Time is not up on him. He is still our best test batsmen

Far from it At the moment the most reliable and consistent is fawad alam

Azhar is increasingly looking like his best days are behind him
 
Big deal that despite his poor form Somerset have gone ahead and signed him up.

Will have to repay them by getting his game back could've done with some work in the nets with Tresco had he been around and sort out his alignment and all.

England counties need foreign cricketers and not the other way around.

Keep in mind that these counties throw up the likes of Dominic Sibley and Zak Crawley and Rory Burns as the best of the bunch.
 
No harm in him still playing county cricket, he should have been removed from test side years ago.
 
Azhar Ali 39 for Somerset v Lancashire

Azhar Ali's team = 90 All out!
 
Azhar Ali 39 for Somerset v Lancashire

Azhar Ali's team = 90 All out!

47* in second innings

LANCS 373
SOM 90 & 194/1 (f/o) (35.2) CRR: 5.49
Day 2: 3rd Session - Somerset trail by 89 runs
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SHOT! Lovely straight drive from Azhar Ali sees him move to 13*. Somerset 30/1 after 12 <br><br>LIVE STREAM ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/dF6GhNA901">https://t.co/dF6GhNA901</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOMvLAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOMvLAN</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSomerset?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSomerset</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZFcg4rscun">pic.twitter.com/ZFcg4rscun</a></p>— Somerset Cricket &#55356;&#57295; (@SomersetCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SomersetCCC/status/1437366247499390978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Azhar Ali's dismissal.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.604%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/ykr3zo" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
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Times up for him im afraid

He was never the prettiest players but Hes really struggling these days and is looking more and more awful at the crease
 
22* for Azhar Ali so far in Warwickshire vs Somerset, Division 1
 
Azhar Ali's County Championship 2021:

6 innings, 177 runs, avg 29.5, SR 44.5, consisting of two 50s and his highest score was 60
 
Azhar is still one of our most dependable test batsmen. He is someone who will sadly never get the respect he deserves because of how deluded certain Pakistani fans are, eventhough his numbers are comparable to someone like Pujara. Was comfortably our best test batsman in 2020 and still has alot left in the tank.

Hope he does well for Somerset.
 
Azhar is still one of our most dependable test batsmen. He is someone who will sadly never get the respect he deserves because of how deluded certain Pakistani fans are, eventhough his numbers are comparable to someone like Pujara. Was comfortably our best test batsman in 2020 and still has alot left in the tank.

Hope he does well for Somerset.
He averaged 29 at Somerset.

He’s done. Great servant, but years past his best.
 
So what? Pujara averaged like 11 for Yorkshire a few years ago. Didn't end his career.

Hes been poor for the last 3-4 years for pakistan

On all levels fc included you can see a continuous slide in output and avge and this isnt over one season or a handful of matches its over a significant period of time

Hes done Its time pakistan dropped him and invested in someone new
 
Azhar is still one of our most dependable test batsmen. He is someone who will sadly never get the respect he deserves because of how deluded certain Pakistani fans are, eventhough his numbers are comparable to someone like Pujara. Was comfortably our best test batsman in 2020 and still has alot left in the tank.

Hope he does well for Somerset.

Hes avged 35 in his last 33 tests Avge of 41 in 2020 with one hundred

From a high of 47 avge in 2016 Hes now avges 42 Hardly numbers to be shouting about
 
Hes been poor for the last 3-4 years for pakistan

On all levels fc included you can see a continuous slide in output and avge and this isnt over one season or a handful of matches its over a significant period of time

Hes done Its time pakistan dropped him and invested in someone new

Nah. He's still one of the best we have.
 
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Hes avged 35 in his last 33 tests Avge of 41 in 2020 with one hundred

From a high of 47 avge in 2016 Hes now avges 42 Hardly numbers to be shouting about

For Pakistani standards they definitely are.

He's been a great servant for Pakistan. Despite not being gifted or talented he can grit it out and has the ability to score tough runs. And he has on numerous occasions. He also has great temperament and is still better than 99.9% of the batsmen in the domestic circuit eventhough he is nowhere near his best.
 
Somerset can keep him, hopefully they sign his buddy Asad Shafiq just to keep him away from the national team.
 
For Pakistani standards they definitely are.

He's been a great servant for Pakistan. Despite not being gifted or talented he can grit it out and has the ability to score tough runs. And he has on numerous occasions. He also has great temperament and is still better than 99.9% of the batsmen in the domestic circuit eventhough he is nowhere near his best.

Your words Been, Has Nowhere near his best All in the past

Im not interested in what hes done in the past Its the now that matters

Can he win matches now for pakistan, can he avge mid 40s and score big test tons now?

This is the problem we cling onto players too long even when clearly theyre on a terminal downward spiral In other nations he wouldve been put out to pasture 2 years back

For pakistan standards hes good enough?? Really He isnt im afraid

How is he good enough with a mid 30s avge over the last 4 years

Yes he had his moments several years ago and did really well in the past but those days are long behind him When a player is in decline its time to move on and find someone who can take the team forward

No offence but pakistan has a rich history and cricketing pedigree Yes its going through a tough time at the moment but in no way such medicority should become acceptable We should always aspire to a higher standard

Theres plenty of fc middle order batters knocking at the door like fawad was Its high time we did justice to them and started letting one or two of them in
 
Your words Been, Has Nowhere near his best All in the past

Im not interested in what hes done in the past Its the now that matters

Can he win matches now for pakistan, can he avge mid 40s and score big test tons now?

This is the problem we cling onto players too long even when clearly theyre on a terminal downward spiral In other nations he wouldve been put out to pasture 2 years back

For pakistan standards hes good enough?? Really He isnt im afraid

How is he good enough with a mid 30s avge over the last 4 years

Yes he had his moments several years ago and did really well in the past but those days are long behind him When a player is in decline its time to move on and find someone who can take the team forward

No offence but pakistan has a rich history and cricketing pedigree Yes its going through a tough time at the moment but in no way such medicority should become acceptable We should always aspire to a higher standard

Theres plenty of fc middle order batters knocking at the door like fawad was Its high time we did justice to them and started letting one or two of them in

Yup he can. And he's one of the best batsmen in the world to have for a series in Asia.

There are not. Fawad was head and shoulders above the rest because there wasn't much beneath to begin with. Besides Saud Shakeel you have batsmen who are either not international-material (and never will be) or guys who are too young and inexperienced to be debuting in tests for Pakistan.
 
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