PAK vs SL | Hope Test cricket returns regularly to Pakistan, hopes Azhar Ali
Pakistan Test skipper Azhar Ali hopes that Test cricket will return to Pakistan frequently now that Sri Lanka will play a two-match Test series against them beginning from December 11. Test cricket has returned to Pakistan after a gap of ten long years and Azhar is positive about Pakistan's chances.
Test cricket is set to return to Pakistan after a gap of ten years as Sri Lanka will play a two-match Test series against the hosts starting with the first Test at Rawalpindi on December 11. UAE had become the temporary home venue for the Pakistan cricket team after the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in their 2009 tour of Pakistan led to Pakistan losing the right to host any international game for several years.
Only after seeing the supreme security provided to the Sri Lankan team during their limited-overs tour of Pakistan, the Sri Lankan Cricket board decided that it was safe to tour Pakistan for a Test series. Pakistan Skipper Azhar Ali believes that this is a very auspicious occasion not just for the people of Pakistan but also for the Pakistan team players as they will get to play in front of their home crowd after a long period of time.
"All the players are very emotional about this Test series," Azhar said in the pre-match press conference.
"It is great to be back to our home grounds and I just hope that Test cricket returns regularly to Pakistan now," he further added.
Pakistan cricket has undergone a lot of structural and fundamental changes which evidently has taken its toll on the national team's performance as they have lost their last six Tests. The way in which they lost the Test series Down Under is nothing short of embarrassing and Azhar believes that the right amount of time needs to be invested and stability needs to be instilled in the team.
"It is unacceptable the way we lost in Australia. The last two series in South Africa and Australia have been tough for us. We know how important this series is. We need to turn to reverse our results and get back on the winning track as there is a lot of pride in Pakistan cricket and we need to win back the confidence of the fans," he added.
"We have never kept patience and we don't give the rebuilding process time. I think these players have a lot of potentials and they will soon come out of their comfort zone once they play under different conditions. We have to keep patience instead of calling for changes," reckoned Azhar.
Sri Lankan senior players had pulled out from the limited-overs tour of Pakistan earlier this year but this time they have come with a stronger squad consisting of experienced players like Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne. Azhar understands the threat that they possess and feels that Pakistan must be at the top of their game to beat this potent Sri Lankan side.
"Sri Lanka has always been a tough team because they play disciplined cricket. We also have to play disciplined cricket in every department. Test cricket demands disciplined cricket. You can't win a Test in one session but you can lose a Test in one session. So one has to be disciplined to beat Sri Lanka at home or away," he mentioned.
Azhar is one of the more experienced players in the Pakistan team and his poor show with the bat Down Under was a huge factor in Pakistan losing both their games by an innings margin. He believes that being a senior pro, he needs to take more responsibility and lead by example as a skipper in order to help Pakistan win Test matches and series.
"If, after 10 years of top cricket I can't handle the pressure then I shouldn't be playing for Pakistan. I just focus now on how I can best play a role and help the team win. I want to contribute to our team winning matches," he concluded.
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