Cricket behind closed doors fine as long as safety is assured: Azhar Ali

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali on Thursday backed playing cricket behind closed doors if need be, saying provided health and public safety is not compromised the game can resume whenever time is right.

Few former cricket stars and officials of cricket boards have said that cricket can resume slowly and matches can be held behind closed doors with proper precautions in place for teams, officials and other ground staff.

Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis had said earlier this week that he is not in favour of cricket resuming before empty stadiums amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is nothing to watch on TV, no sports is happening around the world. So people will be happy if they get to watch something somehow. But lives and health of people is important and if that is not compromised, we can start with cricket slowly, but not now," said Ali, speaking to local journalists via videoconferencing.

Asked about the World Test Championship being put on hold and how that will impact the five-day competition, he said: "All teams will get due time to play all matches I feel. Then if matches can't be finished on time, it should be extended."

Azhar also spoke on his relationship with coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, saying they both have similar ideas and having played under him for a long time, they get along very well.

"We don't have lot of disagreements. We are more often than not on the same page. I have played a lot under Misbah bhai and that helps. We understand eachother," he said.

On bowling coach Waqar, and how he is differeent to Misbah as a coach, he said: "I discuss things with him (Waqar) regarding bowling. Misbah is calmer. That's his way of working, he is cool. Waqar used to do it in a different way. Both are big names in Pakistan cricket. Waqar bhai is a legend."

Azhar further said his knee injury was a reason behind his dip in form and also a factor behind him deciding not to play white-ball cricket for Pakistan and focus only on Tests.

"Knee injury has hampered my form and I was at my peak when it happened. We had won the Champions Trophy. Those 6-8 months did disturb me. Injury is a phase and that needs to be dealt with. I am working hard to get back to form," said the 35-year old.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/...s-fine-as-long-as-safety-is-assured-azhar-ali

 

[Rana]

I think all sportsmen around the world are financially strong enough to afford antigen Tests. They need to get theirs done and get on with playing sport behind closed doors at least

 

[Junaids]

Pakistan are used to hosting Tests with zero spectators. Ask Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

 

[Ab Fan]

The question is who takes this assurance of safety and what's the guarantee? You have groundsmen, staffs, cameraman also who shouldn't be risking their life for a cricket match to happen.

 

[Runner Up]

As I said in other thread, it is possible with artificial chanting and clapping sounds.

 

[Shaka81]

One of the problems with playing any sport behind closed doors is the temptation for fans to congregate wherever they can get a glimpse of the action and all social distancing measures to fall apart. Is sport really worth that risk?
Give it another couple of weeks/months and hopefully we'll see the end of the outbreak and sport can then continue.

 

[Savak]

Cannot Change Perception, But I am as Good as My Team: Azhar Ali

Cannot Change Perception, But I am as Good as My Team: Azhar Ali

Azhar also elaborated on his long term goal with this side after leading them in five Tests.

IANS |April 9, 2020, 4:52 PM IST

While saying that he cannot change general perception of him being a defensive skipper, Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali on Thursday asserted that a leader is as good as his team and the conditions on offer and there has to be a balance to be successful.

Azhar took over as Test captain after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed last year in October. Pakistan lost in Australia 0-2 in his first assignment but then won the home series against Sri Lanka 1-0 and the one-off Test against Bangladesh too.

"It is hard to change perception. Very soon we come to a conclusion and stick to it," Azhar told local reporters via video conference when asked about popular perception of him being a defensive captain and coach Misbah-Ul-Haq also cut from the same cloth.

"I bat with composure and I take time that does not mean I am a defensive captain. If you see greatest captains and see teams...90s Australia and early 2000s they had bowlers who used to set fields themselves. They were so good. It is easier to do attacking captaincy with such a team. In Dubai, fast bowler is bowling you can't keep four slips. In Pakistan also where conditions are flat you have to have balance," said the 35-year old.

Azhar also elaborated on his long term goal with this side after leading them in five Tests.

"I am trying to get rid of the fear factor. They should play in free mind. That team culture needs to be developed. Every player should think about the team and there should be a relaxed atmosphere. You cannot perform under pressure and in level-headed approach, consistency will come. It will also help in decision making."

Azhar also said the reason Pakistan cannot do well in countries like Australia, England South Africa and New Zealand is that bowlers fail to take wickets.

"Now teams are not doing well away. We have not done well in those countrie because, we performed decently but in Australia they make so many runs. If we don't get early wickets it's difficult to comeback.

"This time bowling attack did not have experience. But previously also if you see experienced bowlers have not done well," he opined.

"We have to stop them from making bg runs. In South Africa, it was bowling friendly wickets but we lacked in batting and could not get them out. We need to get them out with our fast bowling. We score hundreds and get 300-plus totals. But we need to get them out to win in Australia and South Africa."

On Pakistan youngsters not wanting to play Tests and keen on doing well in shorters formats, Azhar said Test selection can only happen if a player has done well in four-day cricket.

"Tests is a different format. We can't judge a player based on his T20 performance. You can gauge player temperament but performance has to be backed with four-day cricket."

Link: https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...-am-as-good-as-my-team-azhar-ali-2571247.html

 

[MenInG]

If its not safe for crowds to come in, then that tells me that there are safety concerns. Unless each bowler plays with his own cricket ball and everyone wears gloves - dont see the point of closed door cricket. The players are equally capable of being careers. Will they be isolated before the game for 14 days?

 

[sweep_shot]

Sports need to take a backseat until COVID-19 dies down.

Even if it is played behind closed doors, players and umpires are still at risk.