'He should resign from captaincy' - Twitter lashes out at Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali for yet another poor batting show

After suffering a three-wicket defeat in the first Test, all eyes were on Pakistan to retaliate in the second match at Rose Bowl and keep the series alive. The Azhar Ali-led side, despite being in the driving seat in the first Test, failed to capitalize as Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler snatched the victory from Pakistan.

The second Test of the series flagged off at Southampton on Thursday, with Pakistan electing to bat first after winning the toss. However, Pakistan rather had a shaky start as they lost in-form Shan Masood in the third over. England veteran James Anderson trapped Masood to strike early in the innings.

After Masood’s departure, all eyes were on skipper Azhar Ali to steady Pakistan’s ship and stitch a crucial partnership in the middle. However, Anderson also showed the exit door to Azhar after the skipper nicked the ball to the second slip. Anderson silenced his critics by providing England with early breakthroughs. Captain Azhar, on the other hand, was bashed by Pakistan fans for his poor batting display.

Azhar Ali departed after scoring 20 off 85 deliveries

Azhar Ali’s gritty knock came to an end as he registered another failure in the on-going series. Ahead of the Test, bowling coach Waqar Younis had backed the skipper to deliver in the batting department. But things didn’t work out for the skipper in the first innings of the Southampton Test.

It was another failure for the Pakistan skipper as he departed after scoring 20 off 85 deliveries. The right-hander has amassed only 38 runs in three innings, resulting into several fans questioning his batting expertise. Many fans lashed out at him, suggesting him to step aside and give opportunities to youngsters.

Azhar Ali’s record in SENA countries has also been disappointing. He has scored 1557 runs in 29 matches at an underwhelming average of 29.37. Twitter was flooded with fans expressing their disappointment with Azhar’s mediocre show with the willow. Several fans even insisted the PCB to strip off his captaincy duties.

After Azhar’s departure, Abid Ali and Babar Azam were in the middle before rain halted the play. Pakistan have so far amassed 85 runs at the loss of two wickets, with Anderson delivering an impressive spell so far.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Azhar Ali Career in SENA

Mat : 29
Inns : 56
Runs: 1557
Avg : 29.37
50/100’s: 8/2
Ducks: 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆#AzharAli #PakvENG #cricket #azharali pic.twitter.com/Lu6TgYY8Jr

— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) August 13, 2020

Sarfaraz after Azhar Ali's poor performance pic.twitter.com/VDezCQGn7r

— ZEE.🇵🇰 (@iBleedGreenZEE) August 13, 2020

20 runs from 83 balls. Another failure for Azhar Ali.#ENGvsPAK

— Mukhtaryaa 💉 (@Mukhtiarkhan678) August 13, 2020

Again a struggling performance by #AzharAli say no to #favrotism …#pakistanvsengland #TestSeries

— raeth band (@wfarooki) August 13, 2020

Azhar Ali on the same pathway, on which Sarfaraz was sacked.

— Ubaid Yousafzai (@daaktarsaaab) August 13, 2020

It is better to change the batting order of skipper Azhar Ali. He is good player, has potential and experience. Hard criticism is not the solution.#PAKvENG

— Ashok Bhardwaj (@ashoksharma2002) August 13, 2020

Pakistanis reaction after Azhar Ali failed once again. #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/1ed0uFqwtn

— Mr. Mooto. (@imran_al056) August 13, 2020

I think Azhar Ali will be a great No4 or No5 Batsman. The pressure on him to hold his wicket actually gets him out @AzharAli_ @TheRealPCB @khaleejtimes #ENGvPAK

— Santhosh Kumar Krish (@santhosh18aug92) August 13, 2020

Azhar Ali should resign from captaincy. But knowing him, how he acted when was asked to resign from odi captaincy after board had decided to sack him, he denied, so he wont even back down after the series and board will have to remove him.

— Sohaib Chatri (@SohaibChatri) August 13, 2020

Wasim Akram after struggling Azhar Ali departed:- This is what England looking for, set batsmen Azhar Ali has gone 🤣
Dead 😆#PAKvENG #ENGvsPAK #TestCricket

— Thomas Shelby (@manojkumar8383) August 13, 2020

The legend player Azhar Ali missed his cercury for 80 run#ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/5m7CmlcpT3

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafa67384539) August 13, 2020

Iam afraid Azhar Ali might loose his captaincy not because Pak isnt winning but his own form is terrible at the moment.#PakvsEng

— Zamin Siddiqi (@SiddiqiZamin) August 13, 2020

Azhar Ali such a experience player and always out on a same length, same delivery. You are captain of our test team. But its true our experience player out as they look like they are in debut. It is better to be retired. And give chance to youngsters.#AzharAli#EngVPak pic.twitter.com/n57W9YZXXS

— Abdullah Asif 🇵🇰 (@AbdullahAsif_) August 13, 2020

At this stage of his career i even can't say as a fan that Azhar Ali you please go back to domestic cricket perform there for a season or two & make a comeback.

I'm hopeful you'll be a better commentator than Wasim Akram.#ENGvsPAK #BBCCricket #PakvsEng

— Javed Iqbal (@Javedjedi99) August 13, 2020

150+ in 1st Test by @shani_official 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Next few tests will be on “Duck”🦆.

And one minute silence for our Captain @AzharAli_
👏🏻🤟🏻🙏🏻#ENGvPAK

— احمد (@ahmed_imn) August 13, 2020

Azhar Ali trying to fill Younus Khan's shoes#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/McLJcvxnU0

— SAQIB GONDAL (@SAQIBGONDALPTI) August 13, 2020

How long will we persist with Azhar Ali? His terrible form continues.

— Tuaha Sohail (@TuahaSohail) August 13, 2020