Sport | Cricket
I love batting in the UAE, Pakistan hero Ali says
Heaps praise on Khan's guidance and is confident of winning Test
- By K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer
- Published: 00:00 February 6, 2012
- Image Credit: AFP
- Pakistan’s Azhar Ali slog-sweeps as England wicketkeeper Matt Prior looks on during the third day of the third and final Test against England in Dubai yesterday.
Dubai: Azhar Ali, whose marathon innings of 157 went a long way to swing the third Test Pakistan's way, loves to play on UAE wickets.
Replying to a query from Gulf News on what is it that helps him pile up big scores in Dubai, he said: "I enjoy batting on UAE wickets. I love to play in Dubai as well as in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. I am happy that the Dubai ground always turns out to be a very successful one for me."
When asked what was the advice from his senior partner Younus Khan during the course of his innings, Ali said: "I will give all the credit to Younus bhai [brother]. He gave me lots of encouragement and guidance, telling me to keep on batting by taking singles and twos. I batted just by watching the way he batted."
Ali believes that the target set for England is big enough for Pakistan to win the match. "I think it's a very good target and it is never easy to chase over 300 runs here, going by the way our bowlers have bowled in this series," he said.
Ali also revealed that it is not a very easy wicket for batsmen. "The ball was not coming on to the bat and one had to be patient to play on this wicket. That's exactly what I did," he said.
Praising the English bowlers, he said: "They bowled well throughout the day and since the wicket is turning we lost wickets in quick succession."
Immense satisfaction
To a question on whether he wants to be selected for Pakistan's ODI team, too, Ali said: "That depends on the selectors. Whenever I get a chance I will try to prove myself. I am very happy that I have been performing for the last one-and-a-half years. The last half century in Abu Dhabi gave me lots of satisfaction because we won the match."
Ali has no complaints about having to bat slowly. "The wicket was slow, that's why I had to be patient to get those runs. You just have to concentrate on your shots. I really enjoyed it in the end because batting long always give you pleasure."
Ali is very hopeful of a victory. "We are 100 per cent confident of winning the match but obviously we have to take 10 wickets. It's a good total and their batsmen will feel the pressure but we just can't sit back," he said.
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