I want to focus more on my batting: Azhar Ali

After stepping down from the captaincy, Azhar Ali has stated that the focus is perhaps on his batting, something that has not been in the best of things as far as Azhar is concerned. While he has indeed justified his place in the Test side with a few massive centuries in recent times, 37 runs in the four matches he played in the ODI series down under against Australia.

However, now, with the burden of captaincy well and truly off his shoulders, it would seem clear that there is something in the offing when it comes to Azhar Ali at the moment. Speaking about his predicament, Azhar went on to add that he wanted to focus more on his batting and that is why he has also stepped down from the vice-captain’s role as well.

“I want to focus more on batting,” Ali told AFP. “That’s why I also left the Test vice-captaincy as this is the right time to further improve my batting. I am honoured to have led Pakistan. I tried my best but results did not come,” added Azhar, who was surprisingly appointed after Misbah-ul-Haq quit ODIs following Pakistan’s quarter-final exit at the 2015 World Cup.

Azhar also went on to add that he was swimming against the tide, something that was not correct in the given circumstance. However, despite this, the 32-year old has given up his vice-captaincy in Test matches as well, something that he was hoping to grow into the captaincy role as well.

“It was like swimming against the tide which was not correct. I think this is not the right team to seek the captaincy or vice-captaincy.”

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