Australia Test series debacle a learning curve for Pakistan, feels Azhar Ali

Azhar Ali, the Pakistan skipper, wants to see the positive side of things even after the 0-2 defeat in the Tests at the hands of Australia. The visitors lost the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval by an innings and 48 runs, which also happened to be their 14th successive defeat in the format on Australian soil. Azhar said that the team didn’t play as per the expectations.

Pakistan lost the first Test at The Gabba by an innings and five runs. Azhar said that in order for youngsters to get accustomed to local conditions, more A tours are needed. As per him, the Test teams arriving in Australia may also do wonders.

“They will get a lot of benefit from that. These are the best batting conditions anywhere in the world. If you can get used to the bounce and pace you can make runs. But it needs to be a team effort, partnerships are important,” Azhar was quoted as saying in Sportstar.

Azhar understands that once a team gets on the backfoot, it’s not easy to make a comeback. He put forth the vitality of dismissing an opposition twice in order to win matches on a consistent basis. “To win Test matches we also have to take 20 wickets and we have to work out how we can do that in Australia. Getting in front of the game here is very important,” he stated.

Babar has been exceptional in this series, says Azhar Ali

Azhar put forth the importance of capitalising on starts, hitting the right channels and sharp fielding. “We lacked in all departments in both Tests but we take some positives. If you don’t bowl good line they always score quickly and you have to field well. When you get in, score big and make big partnerships,” the skipper added.

Azhar also lauded Babar Azam, who was Pakistan’ leading run-scorer of the series with 210 runs at an average of 52.50. Babar got 104 in the second innings of the Brisbane Test and followed it up with a 97 in the first innings of the Adelaide Test.

Heaping praises on the right-hander, Azhar said: “Babar has been exceptional in this series, that’s a great positive. It’s very hard here with a young bowling attack, we came with a lot of expectations but it didn’t go well. We will learn a lot.”