ABU DHABI – Senior batsman Azhar Ali admitted Pakistan will be underpressure of expectations in the second Test against Australia starting inAbu Dhabi from Tuesday.
Pakistan dominated much of the first Test in Dubai but failed to get thelast two wickets as Australia finished at 362-8.
Set a daunting 462 runs Australia s fightback was led by opener UsmanKhawaja s 141, ably assisted by Travis Head (72) and skipper Tim Paine (61not out).
“I can t say if the pressure will be more on Pakistan or Australia but weare the home side and obviously people expect us to win and so there ispressure,” said Azhar on Sunday.
“However, having said that these are favourable conditions for us and wehave to make the most of it.
“Pressure is always different in every match and obviously this is adecider. Being the home team we have to win it and we will enter the fieldthinking that. We will look to play positive cricket and hopefully theresult will go our way.”
Pakistan will be forced to make a change after regular opener Imam-ul-Haqfractured his finger in the first Test and was ruled out, opening an optionto bring Azhar as opener.
The 33-year-old held the opening spot since the Oval Test in England inAugust 2016 and struck a triple century against the West Indies in Dubaiand a double hundred against Australia in Melbourne — both in 2016.
He went to his customary number three position for the two Tests againstSri Lanka last year and in last week s first Test against Australia.
Pakistan can also bring in limited over specialist Fakhar Zaman to play hisfirst Test, despite a poor form in the Asia Cup scoring only 56 runs infive matches with two ducks.
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Azhar said he will do it against for his team.
“When playing for Pakistan one has to be ready for everything,” said Azhar.”I have always believed in that and whatever the team management decides orthe captain decides, I will be ready to do that.”
Azhar admitted Pakistan players were disappointed at not winning the firstTest.
“We are not disheartened but, yes, disappointed, obviously after dominatingthe Test match throughout and then not winning it,” said Azhar, a veteranof 66 Tests.
“Unfortunately we couldn t win but I think we also have to give credit tothe Australians as well as they showed resilience and kept fighting tillthe end.”
Azhar said he remains focused despite not in the best of form, managingonly 95 runs in the last four Tests.
“A batman always wants to score runs and it doesn t feel nice when hedoesn t score runs,” said Azhar. “But the important thing is to stayfocused and believe that once you get a good knock things will startrolling again.” – APP/AFP
