- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 218,133
"I'd like junior players to play against Zimbabwe but we only play 8-9 Tests a year": Azhar Ali
Azhar Ali speaking to the media at end of Day 1 of the 2nd Test:
"When you play in a short 2-match series, you try your best to play one or 2 big innings, so I am satisfied with my performance although after scoring the century, I was looking to convert that into a bigger innings but unfortunately I got out when the new ball was introduced"
"If you take out the last 10 overs so when the new ball came into play, we dominated the day; Whenever there is a big partnership, the bowlers try and induce mistakes by taking the field on one side and bowling outside (the off stump) due to which we probably scored 20 runs less than we should have; We lost 3 wickets in the end but overall the day was ours"
"We need to give credit to Tabish Khan as he set an example for us with his never give up attitude; He has always worked towards representing Pakistan, he worked hard and kept on performing; We need to congratulate him for getting a Pakistan Test cap; It was a very emotional moment for him this morning as he has worked hard for this for a very long time; We are pleased about his debut and are hoping that he will perform well"
"We all hope for each batsmen to score in every innings but we need to support Imran Butt as conditions in Zimbabwe due to 9:30am start are such that ball doesn't come that easily on to the bat; He was unfortunate in his dismissal"
"As a senior player, I would also like to give an opportunity to junior players against a team like Zimbabwe but whatever the opposition, the fact is that we are only playing 8-9 Test matches a year and if dont play same players how will we get a settled team? In 11 years of playing for Pakistan I have only played only 86 Tests or so so average is about 8 matches a year; So you can see how few opportunities a player gets to play Tests, so its not that easy to change teams like that in Tests"
"The second new ball seemed to be coming faster and more bouncier than the first one"
"When you play a Test match after such a long time, then you don't need any further motivation regardless of the opposition; But the problem is that when you perform in such cases, its not considered a great achievement and the same applies if you don't perform; So there can be pressure on you because you have to perform for sure; But as a professional, you need to plan your innings against each and every side; I am happy that this is my first century against Zimbabwe"
Azhar Ali speaking to the media at end of Day 1 of the 2nd Test:
"When you play in a short 2-match series, you try your best to play one or 2 big innings, so I am satisfied with my performance although after scoring the century, I was looking to convert that into a bigger innings but unfortunately I got out when the new ball was introduced"
"If you take out the last 10 overs so when the new ball came into play, we dominated the day; Whenever there is a big partnership, the bowlers try and induce mistakes by taking the field on one side and bowling outside (the off stump) due to which we probably scored 20 runs less than we should have; We lost 3 wickets in the end but overall the day was ours"
"We need to give credit to Tabish Khan as he set an example for us with his never give up attitude; He has always worked towards representing Pakistan, he worked hard and kept on performing; We need to congratulate him for getting a Pakistan Test cap; It was a very emotional moment for him this morning as he has worked hard for this for a very long time; We are pleased about his debut and are hoping that he will perform well"
"We all hope for each batsmen to score in every innings but we need to support Imran Butt as conditions in Zimbabwe due to 9:30am start are such that ball doesn't come that easily on to the bat; He was unfortunate in his dismissal"
"As a senior player, I would also like to give an opportunity to junior players against a team like Zimbabwe but whatever the opposition, the fact is that we are only playing 8-9 Test matches a year and if dont play same players how will we get a settled team? In 11 years of playing for Pakistan I have only played only 86 Tests or so so average is about 8 matches a year; So you can see how few opportunities a player gets to play Tests, so its not that easy to change teams like that in Tests"
"The second new ball seemed to be coming faster and more bouncier than the first one"
"When you play a Test match after such a long time, then you don't need any further motivation regardless of the opposition; But the problem is that when you perform in such cases, its not considered a great achievement and the same applies if you don't perform; So there can be pressure on you because you have to perform for sure; But as a professional, you need to plan your innings against each and every side; I am happy that this is my first century against Zimbabwe"
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