Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis has shown the trust over Test captain Azhar Ali’s capability. He is confident that the top-order batsman will make a strong comeback in the remaining two Test matches against England.
The skipper Azhar Ali had struggled to settle himself on both occasions in the opening Test against England. In the first innings, he lost his wicket for a duck while in the second innings, he easily gave up his wickets after scoring 18 runs. Pakistan had also faced defeat in that Test though they had given a tough target of 277 runs.
Azhar Ali criticised as a captain:
Subsequently, Ali was heavily criticised for his captaincy during the course when Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes were building match-winning innings.
But Waqar Younis, who himself had led Pakistan team, reckons Azhar Ali as a seasoned player. He expressed that the skipper will bounce back from failures of the past and deliver for the team.
“Being captain and playing in the top order is not easy. When you’re in bad form, or have had a bad game, everything gets scrutinised,” Younis said.
“I’ve been captain myself so I know what he’s going through. But he’s a seasoned player…He knows how to come out of these situations and I expect him to deliver in the upcoming two Test matches.”
Waqar Younis on Naseem Shah:
Waqar Younis, further, heaped praise on the 17-year-old Naseem Shah who bowled some impressive spell to get the prized scalp of captain Joe Root and Ollie Poppe at Manchester. He reckons that the youngster would surely become a great player.
“When you talk about whether he can be great it is very difficult to be sure about anyone. Pakistan, over the years, has produced some real quality fast bowlers,” Waqar Younis.
“If he keeps himself fit and strong and keeps bowling, I’m sure he has the potential to become a very good bowler.”
Meanwhile, the two teams will play the second Test in Southampton from 13th August.