• Home
• /
• Cricket

We have to stay positive: Azhar

DUBAI – With South Africa taking a good lead in their second innings of the first Test, the third day ended as a disappointing one for Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

However, the team management and fans would be pleased with the performance of young Azhar Ali, who made a well-composed 56 when some of his seniors played irresponsible shots to get out. Azhar showed enough patience on how to build a Test innings.

“The wicket was playing well, but it was not easy to play all your shots. You have to block a few shots and wait for the loose delivery. I tried to do that,” 25-year old Azhar, hit five fours in his 172-ball knock, told reporters after the day’s play on Sunday.

He said Paksitan would have to remain positive in their approach to make a comeback, as they did on the second day.

Azhar, who has a compact technique, made an impression during the third Test against England at the Oval by scoring an unbeaten 92 against the likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson in August.

“We have to stay positive. We can’t think negatively. South Africa were also in a very good position in their first innings. Then we made a comeback. Cricket is a funny game. We will be fighting,” he said.

Analysing what went wrong for his team on the third day, Azhar said: “We tried to build some partnerships but it didn’t happen. Earlier on, we had some good partnerships, but after lunch wedidn’thave any partnership.”

He said the South Africans bowled well, especially after lunch, with pacer Morne Morkel taking four wickets.

“The wickets started falling quickly. That is where I think as a team we lost our way. I think in the next innings we should rectify this.”

Asked about the target Pakistan would be comfortable with, he said: “We will try to get them out as quick as we can. This is cricket and irrespective of the total, we have to fight and play up to our potential.”