Azhar Ali hopes Mohammad Asif represents Pakistan again

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali believes the ousted bowler Mohammad Asif can make a comeback to the national side once again. The right-arm fast bowler last played for his country in 2010 and was suspended since then for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal during England tour. Though he has been doing well in the domestic circuit and striving hard for his comeback. However, Azhar Ali has backed him and feels that there is a lot of cricket left in him and can play for Pakistan in future.

The Men in Green are embarking on their tough tour to New Zealand next week where they will play 5 One-Day Internationals and 3 T20Is. While the ODI series will commence from January 6 before which they will also pay a practice match in Nelson, the teams will lock horns in the shortest format on January 22. Azhar Ali has been recalled to the squad after being dropped for the series against Sri Lanka at home. He admits that facing New Zealand in their own den would be a tough ask but also hoped that the team does well on the tour.

Azhar focussed than ever

Azhar Ali was removed from the captaincy as Pakistan struggled under his captaincy for a long period of time but his experience at the top with the bat has brought him back in the side. “It will not be easy [to defeat New Zealand in New Zealand]. The Kiwis always perform well on home ground, but ours is a decent unit and our performances in the last six months are there for all to see. Even during our last tour we almost managed to win two matches there,” he said while speaking to DAWN on Sunday.

He also cleared that he is ready to play any role in the team that the management wants him to play. “I’ll try and play the way the team wants me to and according to the situation. It’s our job to do what the team wants. I am very focused. I am feeling well after the rehabilitation process,” the 32-year-old added. When asked about Asif he backed the veteran to come back to the national side and also felt that he has a lot to offer to Pakistan still.

“Asif has a lot of experience. He may not have the same pace but there is still a lot of variation in his repertoire,” Azhar concluded.