KARACHI: Former batting great Zaheer Abbas believes the naming of Azhar Ali as Pakistan ODI captain will put him under pressure, stating that he was surprised by the youngster’s appointment, for he had not been part of the ODI team for the last two years.

“Azhar had not been part of the ODI side for the past two years and now suddenly he was named ODI captain which is surprising,” Zaheer said in an interview on Thursday.

He said like many experts and players, he too was surprised by the appointment of Azhar as captain.

Azhar has replaced Misbah-ul-Haq as ODI captain after the latter announced his retirement from one-dayers.

“Captaining Pakistan team is not an easy job particularly when you are not part of the team for such a long period,” he said, adding: “Azhar will not only have to lead the team but perform with the bat as well which, of course, will not be an easy task particularly in the prevailing circumstances.”

Zaheer, however, wished the new ODI captain good luck with his new assignment ahead in the shape of the Bangladesh series which the former batting great termed a big challenge for Azhar and his team.

“It will be a very tough series, for Bangladesh had also made it to the World Cup quarter-final,” he maintained while stating that both the teams are on equal kneels in connection with the upcoming series.

“Keeping in view Bangladesh recent World Cup track record, both teams have almost performed equally,” he maintained.

However, Zaheer while warning Pakistan team against rising Bangladesh players said that any complacency could be deadly for the greenshirts who were defeated in a practice match on Wednesday.

Pakistan should not take their defeat in the practice game lightly, stated the former Test captain. “It should be an eye-opener for Azhar’s team,” he maintained while stating that any bad result against Bangladesh could tarnish Pakistan team’s image.

“Young players should prove themselves to fill the void created by the retirement of Misbah, Younis and Afridi.”

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2015

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