LAHORE: Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali admitted on Sunday that his team was 30 to 40 runs short in the last ODI match against Zimbabwe which was later abandoned due to rain and dust-storm at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan, however, won the series 2-0 and Azhar was declared Man-of-the-Series as he was the top batsman with an aggregate of 227 runs including a century and a half-century.

Azhar, whose next challenge as skipper is the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka later this month, said Pakistan will have to win at least two ODIs against the Islanders on the upcoming tour to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Champions Trophy 2017. “We are confident that we will achieve the needful,” he added.

Praising young Babar Azam, he said the player was a good find as he batted very well under pressure on his debut. Babar scored a fluent 52 to lift Pakistan from a precarious position in the fifth ODI.

About his own performance with the bat in the ODIs since getting the captaincy, Azhar said: “I am thankful to God that my form has not been affected due to captaincy.”

“Our main aim is to prepare such a combination that can compete at the highest international level anywhere in the world,” he said.

He dedicated the series victory to former Test cricketer Azmat Rana who died here in Lahore on Saturday: “Azmat Rana was our coach and I spent a very good time with him,” said Azhar. “He was a great player who has now left us and I dedicate this series win to him.”

Reflecting on the importance of the Zimbabwe series, he said it was important for many reasons as it was first in Pakistan after six years, so there was excitement for all.

“It was also emotional occasion for most of the players who had not played any international match before the home crowds in Pakistan,” said Azhar .“We will try to carry forward this confidence in future,” he said.

Praising the Zimbabwe team, Azhar said it was a great gesture on their part to tour Pakistan against heavy odds and they played very competitive cricket.

Commenting on the players’ fitness at the moment, Azhar said: “Pakistan has been bogged down due to a lot of injuries to its key players but hopefully all the players will soon be the part of the team. We have tried a number of new players in the series and thankfully they have come good which is a good news for Pakistan’s cricketing future. Hopefully, by getting regular chances they will blossom further.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Maskadza said there were many positive that his team had drawn from the series. “Our batsmen performed very well throughout against a good team like Pakistan which is heartening indeed,” he said.

To a question, he said he thought there was a chance for his team to win the final ODI before the rain washed out it.

Earlier, the PCB held a brief prize-distribution ceremony under a covered area. Azhar was declared as Man-of-the-Series while former Pakistan ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq was also honoured on the occasion for successfully leading the team during the past five years.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2015

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