Azhar Ali

This article is about the Pakistani cricketer . For the Omani cricketer, see Azhar Ali (Omani cricketer).
Azhar Ali
Personal information
Born (1985-02-19) 19 February 1985
Lahore, Pakistan
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Leg-break
Role Batsman, ODI Captain
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 199) 13 July 2010 v Australia
Last Test 3–7 July 2015 v Sri Lanka
ODI debut (cap 185) 30 May 2011 v Ireland
Last ODI 3 October 2015 2015 v Zimbabwe
ODI shirt no. 79
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2011-2013 Lahore Eagles,
2014-2015 Lahore Lions
2016-present Lahore Qalandars
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 45 31 123 119
Runs scored 3,427 1,227 7,419 4,322
Batting average 43.37 43.58 38.44 51.45
100s/50s 9/20 2/7 24/31 11/26
Top score 226 102 226 128
Balls bowled 330 102 2,005 2,022
Wickets 4 – 33 52
Bowling average 51.75 – 38.12 34.32
5 wickets in innings 0 n/a 0 3
10 wickets in match 0 n/a 0 0
Best bowling 2/49 – 4/34 5/23
Catches/stumpings 48/– 3/- 109/– 26/–
Source: Cricinfo, 07 October 2015

Azhar Ali (Urdu: اظہر علی‎; born 19 February 1985 in Lahore, Punjab) is a Pakistani international cricketer and the current captain of Pakistan ODI team.He's also the appointed Vice Captain of the Test side.[1] He made his Test debut for Pakistan against Australia in the first Test at Lord's in July 2010. Azhar is a right-hand batsman and a part-time leg-break bowler who has played for Lahore, Lahore Blues, Lahore Whites, Abbottabad, Khan Research Laboratories, Punjab and Huntly (Scotland) during his career.[2]

Domestic career

A right handed opening batsman and a part-time leg spinner by trade. His solid technique and ever-lasting patience was exactly what Pakistan was searching for and his calmness at the crease perfectly suited the crucial number 3 slot. Azhar has worked his way steadily up Pakistan's domestic scene since 2006. That was the season he began opening regularly for Khan Research Laboratories, a move that fetched him two hundreds and two fifties in five matches, and he hasn't looked back. In four seasons since, he's been averaging 40-plus with 11 hundreds, commendable figures in a country where opening is a modern-day curse.[3][4]

International career

Azhar Ali became one of the few Pakistani players to make his Test debut before playing an ODI when he got his chance against Australia at Lord’s in July 2010.[5]

Starting against Australia and England

Following the exclusion of middle-order stalwarts Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf from the Pakistani team in 2010, Ali was drafted into the lineup for the Test series against Australia and England in July 2010. He has now the second highest Avg in odi cricket with 48.63 in 26 innings and is one of the best batsman in current cricket. He made his debut against Australia in July, along with Umar Amin; Azhar scored 17 runs in his debut innings before he was caught behind by Tim Paine. In the second innings, he scored 42 as Pakistan lost the match by 150 runs.[6] In the second Test match against Australia, he scored 30 runs in the first innings, followed by his maiden half century in the second as Pakistan recorded their first Test victory over the Australians in fifteen years.[7] He struggled in the first two Tests against England, recording a 32-ball duck during the second match as Pakistan were bundled out for 72. Following these disastrous collapses Mohammad Yousuf was recalled to the squad and Amin lost his place, but Azhar was given another opportunity and found his feet in the third Test, scoring an unbeaten 92.He is the fastest Pakistani batsman to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket.Before getting captaincy, he was criticised for slow strike rate but he once chosen for the top spot in the team, he smashed strike rates of 91.34, 111.78, 89.56 and made his critics quiet.

South Africa series in November 2010

Ali retained his place in the Test squad for the series against South Africa in November. He scored half centuries in both innings of the first Test, and helped Pakistan, chasing an improbable 451, avoid defeat with a crucial fourth-innings partnership with the returning Younus Khan. He top-scored with 90 in the first innings of the second Test, before producing another solid performance alongside captain Misbah-ul-Haq in the second innings, finishing unbeaten after facing 135 deliveries to secure another draw.

January 2011: Tour of New Zealand

Following consistent performances against South Africa backed up with experience against England and Australia the selectors picked Ali for the two-match test series against New Zealand in January 2011, also young Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq was given a place alongside Ali.[8] In the first innings of the first match Ali only managed 18 and wasn't required to bat in the following innings as Pakistan won by 10-wickets. During the second match of the series Azhar was on 62* at Stumps registering his sixth half-century in the process.

June 2012: Tour of Sri Lanka

Azhar was picked in the both ODI and Test squad for the Sri Lankan tour in 2012. He was impressive in the ODIs by scoring 96 in the 2nd ODI and 81* in the 4th ODI, and became the second Pakistani to carry his bat after Saeed Anwar. He finished the series as the leading run-scorer for Pakistan [9] Azhar Ali made his 4th test hundred and finished on 157 in the 1st innings of the 2nd test at SSC.[10]
Azhar continued his good form and made consecutive centuries as he scored 136 in the 2nd innings. His crucial innings enabled him make into the Top-10 of ICC Test Rankings for the first time, as he joined Graeme Smith on 753 points.[11]

Captaincy

After Misbah Ul Haq retired from ODIs,The Pakistan Cricket board had a tough job to do while appointing Misbah's successor. The potential candidates were either too inconsistent or had some disciplinary issues. Sarfraz Ahmed gave the selectors a long thought but the board finally decided to go in favor of Azhar Ali who hadn't played ODI cricket for almost 2 years at the time of his appointment. While this decision was opposed by many, Azhar Ali seemed determined to take the Pakistani team right on top.[12]

Pakistan tour of Bangladesh

At the end of April, Pakistan ended up on the wrong side of a whitewash in Bangladesh. Under his captaincy, Pakistan played their first ODI series against Bangladesh. The tournament was disappointing as Pakistan lost all three ODIs. This was Pakistan's first series lost to Bangladesh.[13]

Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan

However, Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan, after a lapse of six years, proved fruitful for him as Pakistan under his captaincy won the three match ODI series 2-0, where he was able to score his second ODI century as well.[14]

Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka

Pakistan's quest for ICC Champions Trophy qualification received a significant boost against Sri Lanka. Pakistan cricket team won the series after nine years in Sri Lanka. Pakistan team had got last victory in 2006 in the leadership of Inzamam Ul Haq.[15] Azhar have scored most of the runs in this series, making things easier for the middle-order.[16]

Ahmad Shahzad speak at the end of the game, the flamboyant batsman heaped praise on opening partner and captain Azhar Ali for allowing him to play his natural game.He said

"Azhar is in the form of his life at the moment and he gives us confidence to play our natural game, When you see him at the other end, it makes you bat positively."[17]


Pakistan Super League 2016

He is Currently appointed as the Captain of Lahore Qalandars starting from 4 Feb until 23 Feb 2016.

Records and achievements

International centuries

Test centuries

Azhar Ali's Test centuries
# Runs Match Against City/Country Venue Year Result
1 100 15  Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dubai International Cricket Stadium 2011 Won
2 157 21  England United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dubai International Cricket Stadium 2012 Won
3 157 23  Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground 2012 Drawn
4 136 24  Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Kandy, Sri Lanka Pallekele International Cricket Stadium 2012 Drawn
5 103 32  Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium 2014 Won
6 109 36  Australia United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Zayed Sports City Stadium 2014 Won
7 100*  Australia United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Zayed Sports City Stadium 2014
8 226 41  Bangladesh Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium 2015 Won
9 117 43  Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium 2015 Lost

One Day International centuries

Azhar Ali's One Day International centuries
# Runs Match Against City/Country Venue Year Result
1 101 17  Bangladesh Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium 2015 Lost
2 102 19  Zimbabwe Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan Gaddafi Stadium 2015 Won

International Awards

Test Cricket

Man of the series awards

# Series Season Match Performance Result
1 Pakistan in Bangladesh 2014/15 334 runs with avg. 111.33. 4 ct. (2 Matches)  Pakistan won the series 1-0.[22]

Man of the Match awards

S No Series Season Match Performance Result
1 3rd Test – England vs Pakistan in UAE Test Series 2011/12 1st Innings: 1 (14 balls)
2nd Innings: 157 (442 balls, 10x4, 1x6)		  Pakistan won by 71 runs.[23]
2 3rd Test – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in UAE Test Series 2013/14 1st Innings: 3-0-11-0 ; 1 ct. ; 8 (27 balls)
2nd Innings: 3 ct. ; 103 (137 balls, 6x4)		  Pakistan won by 5 wickets.[24]
3 2nd Test – Pakistan in Bangladesh Test Series 2014/15 1st Innings: 226 (428 balls, 20x4, 2x6); 3 ct.
2nd Innings: 25 (38 balls, 4x4)		  Pakistan won by 328 runs.[25]

One-Day International Cricket

Man of the series awards

# Series Season Match Performance Result
1 Zimbabwe in Pakistan 2014/15 227 runs with avg. of 75.66 (3 Matches)  Pakistan Won the series 2-0.[26]

Man of the Match awards

S No Opponent Venue Date Match Performance Result
1 Zimababwe Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 29 May 2015 102 (104 balls, 8×4); DNB  Pakistan won by 6 wickets.[27]

See more

References

  1. ↑ Azhar Ali player profile, Cricinfo
  2. ↑ Azhar Ali player profile, CricketArchive
  3. ↑ "Azhar's Domestic Career". CricInfo.
  4. ↑ "Azhar's Domestic Career". Cricbuzz.
  5. ↑ "Test debut before playing an ODI". Cricbuzz.
  6. ↑ http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2010/engine/current/match/426394.html
  7. ↑ http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan-v-australia-2010/engine/current/match/426395.html
  8. ↑ Ali, Shafiq selected for NZ Tour Yousuf Dropped
  9. ↑ "Awful Pakistan Crash once again". Cricket.Org.PK. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Rain and Azhar Ali make the highlights on 2nd Day". Cricket.Org.PK. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Azhar Ali makes into Top-10 in ICC rankings". Cricket.Org.PK. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  12. ↑ Farooq, Umar. "Azhar Ali named Pakistan ODI captain". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  13. ↑ http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-pakistan-2015/content/story/865085.html
  14. ↑ http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/868729.html
  15. ↑ "Pakistan win series after 9 years". Abb Takk.
  16. ↑ "Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2015". ibtimes.
  17. ↑ "Shehzad credits Azhar Ali for improved batting performances". crizbuzz.
  18. ↑ "Fastest 1000 runs in just 23 innings.". thenewstribe.
  19. ↑ "Top 10 Fastest Batsmen To Reach 1000 ODI Runs". cricspirit.
  20. ↑ "Most runs as captain after 10 ODIs". livecricketnow.
  21. ↑ "First Pakistan ODI captain to score a century in a run chase".
  22. ↑ "Pakistan tour of Bangladesh, 2014/15". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "English cricket team against Pakistan in UAE in 2011-12".
  24. ↑ "Sri Lankan cricket team against Pakistan in UAE in 2013-14".
  25. ↑ "Pakistani cricket team in Bangladesh in 2014-15".
  26. ↑ "Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2014-15". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  27. ↑ "Pakistan vs. New Zealand, McLean Park, Napier, Feb 1, 2011".

External links

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