Pakistan’s Test batsman Azhar Ali has labelled the series against West Indies a great opportunity to improve his batting ability and to finally register his maiden ton that has been evading him since his debut last July.
The 26-year-old was one of the finds of the ill-fated tour of Englandlast year and his resistance and perseverance, especially against the new ball, was a major factor behind his establishment as a permanent member of the Test squad. With six half-centuries in ten Tests, Azhar is itching to score his first hundred.
“I see the tour as a very important one for me to improve on my ability,” Azhar told The Express Tribune. “I’m not underestimating the opposition but am desperate to score a hundred.
“Although my Test career kicked off last year, it’ll only kick-start after I score my first ton. I believe patience is the key. I’ve played half my innings in challenging situations.”
Meanwhile, Azhar rejected the notion that he was just a Test batsman.
“Since I’ve only been given the opportunity in Test cricket, the way I play is the way it should be played. Test cricket is all about testing your overall ability in the game. You need to be technically sound and must have a temperament to stay in the middle and that’s how I’ve been very successful.”
Azhar averages 47 in List-A cricket, higher than his first-class average of 38 and has not given up the hope of representing Pakistan in limited-overs cricket as well.
“As far as the limited-over cricket is concerned, I’m equally useful in that format as well. I’ve worked very hard on shot selections.”
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