Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
Azhar Ali at a press conference ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh:
"Every Test match in the Test Championship is important. It's a split series but credit to both boards that at least this series is happening, we'll try to adapt. For now we'll focus on the 1st Test, then look to the 2nd one when it comes.
"I am not satisfied with my performances specially as a player over the last year or so. But the good thing is that hitting a century in the last match has given me a lot of confidence. I made runs in FC also this season so I will try to continue that. Test matches happen after intervals so it's not easy to carry on form but I will focus on my batting and try to continue from the last Test.
"We want to try to use mostly the same combination of the last Test but we will try to adapt to the conditions of Rawalpindi. Pindi always has conditions for results so I am hopeful that if we play our best game, we'll get a positive result.
"It's a good sign that teams are coming to Pakistan and that PSL will be held in Pakistan. The message is going to the world that it's safe to play cricket in Pakistan. Confidence will keep developing and many foreign players are coming for PSL which will send out a great message.
"We have a new pace bowling attack and from Australia till now, the way they have improved is a great sign. I said that we need to give the new attack some time but the way they have taken up the responsibility is heartening. We will back them, they are the bowlers we have and it's an excellent attack. We will rely on them to win us matches.
"There are some PSL matches here, Pindi always gets good crowds. I am hopeful that the way people came for the last day of the SL Test will be replicated and people turn up for the match tomorrow and then PSL as well going forward.
"Test matches aren't easy to win, we are just focusing on playing our best game and we aren't taking Bangladesh lightly. They don't have some of their senior players but they still have players who can deliver match-winning performances. From the start, we'll try to play our A game.
"Potential-wise, Pakistan team is excellent at the moment. But I won't say we are better or worse than anyone. Only those teams win who perform well in the ground. If we're better in any aspect, we have to show that through performances.
"Fawad is in the squad on the basis of his performances and ability. All members in the squad can be in the playing XI at any time. Whenever he plays, I think he will perform. Not only Fawad, but everyone is the same and they're looking to perform when given a chance.
(Is Faheem in the squad due to the England tour) "Definitely, going forward we have to look at the cricket we play overseas. The way we're developing our bowling attack as well, we're looking at a few things. We're not in the ideal situation where we want a pace-bowling all-rounder who can support us overseas as a fourth seamer. When you play overseas then sometimes you need that fourth seamer to better balance the bowling attack. Three pacers can get tired quickly. We're also thinking about the conditions we're trying to develop in Pakistan where wickets offer some help for pacers so here also we may sometimes need a fourth seamer. We want to make the ideal combination that can help us when we go to Eng, SA, Aus so that we have all-rounders who can support us. We'll see wherever we can utilise these players and include them in the playing XI.
"Bangladesh can be a competitive side and they can surprise you so we aren't taking them lightly. They have match-winners in their team. We have the opportunity to win Tests at home so we'll try our best.
"Home Tests are played according to your strengths. Currently, we feel that our fast-bowling is a threat for the opposition so we're trying to have pitches that can support our fast-bowlers and that we win Tests with fast-bowling. Yes, this will also help us when we go to places like England. But home Tests are played according to your own strengths. If you feel you can defeat the other team with spin then you make turning wickets. We feel right now that we can win Test matches with our fast-bowling.
"Bangladesh are missing a couple of key players. We have an upper hand due to home advantage and current form but we have to apply that in the middle. Nothing is won off the field so we have to do it on the field."
"Every Test match in the Test Championship is important. It's a split series but credit to both boards that at least this series is happening, we'll try to adapt. For now we'll focus on the 1st Test, then look to the 2nd one when it comes.
"I am not satisfied with my performances specially as a player over the last year or so. But the good thing is that hitting a century in the last match has given me a lot of confidence. I made runs in FC also this season so I will try to continue that. Test matches happen after intervals so it's not easy to carry on form but I will focus on my batting and try to continue from the last Test.
"We want to try to use mostly the same combination of the last Test but we will try to adapt to the conditions of Rawalpindi. Pindi always has conditions for results so I am hopeful that if we play our best game, we'll get a positive result.
"It's a good sign that teams are coming to Pakistan and that PSL will be held in Pakistan. The message is going to the world that it's safe to play cricket in Pakistan. Confidence will keep developing and many foreign players are coming for PSL which will send out a great message.
"We have a new pace bowling attack and from Australia till now, the way they have improved is a great sign. I said that we need to give the new attack some time but the way they have taken up the responsibility is heartening. We will back them, they are the bowlers we have and it's an excellent attack. We will rely on them to win us matches.
"There are some PSL matches here, Pindi always gets good crowds. I am hopeful that the way people came for the last day of the SL Test will be replicated and people turn up for the match tomorrow and then PSL as well going forward.
"Test matches aren't easy to win, we are just focusing on playing our best game and we aren't taking Bangladesh lightly. They don't have some of their senior players but they still have players who can deliver match-winning performances. From the start, we'll try to play our A game.
"Potential-wise, Pakistan team is excellent at the moment. But I won't say we are better or worse than anyone. Only those teams win who perform well in the ground. If we're better in any aspect, we have to show that through performances.
"Fawad is in the squad on the basis of his performances and ability. All members in the squad can be in the playing XI at any time. Whenever he plays, I think he will perform. Not only Fawad, but everyone is the same and they're looking to perform when given a chance.
(Is Faheem in the squad due to the England tour) "Definitely, going forward we have to look at the cricket we play overseas. The way we're developing our bowling attack as well, we're looking at a few things. We're not in the ideal situation where we want a pace-bowling all-rounder who can support us overseas as a fourth seamer. When you play overseas then sometimes you need that fourth seamer to better balance the bowling attack. Three pacers can get tired quickly. We're also thinking about the conditions we're trying to develop in Pakistan where wickets offer some help for pacers so here also we may sometimes need a fourth seamer. We want to make the ideal combination that can help us when we go to Eng, SA, Aus so that we have all-rounders who can support us. We'll see wherever we can utilise these players and include them in the playing XI.
"Bangladesh can be a competitive side and they can surprise you so we aren't taking them lightly. They have match-winners in their team. We have the opportunity to win Tests at home so we'll try our best.
"Home Tests are played according to your strengths. Currently, we feel that our fast-bowling is a threat for the opposition so we're trying to have pitches that can support our fast-bowlers and that we win Tests with fast-bowling. Yes, this will also help us when we go to places like England. But home Tests are played according to your own strengths. If you feel you can defeat the other team with spin then you make turning wickets. We feel right now that we can win Test matches with our fast-bowling.
"Bangladesh are missing a couple of key players. We have an upper hand due to home advantage and current form but we have to apply that in the middle. Nothing is won off the field so we have to do it on the field."