One to Watch: Azhar Ali
Monday 23rd April 2018
One of the world’s top ten ranked Test batsmen will be coming to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence this weekend, writes Alex Jennings.
Azhar Ali is a worthy member of one of cricket’s most elite clubs as his career has been going from strength to strength in recent years.
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2016 was a stellar year for Azhar: an outstanding 302* against West Indies in only the second ever day-night Test and an unbeaten 205 in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG were notable highlights on the international stage.
Azhar took that winter form into 2017, securing two hundreds in three tests on tour in the Caribbean, followed up by a solid series against Sri Lanka.
The 33-year-old is seventh in Pakistan’s all-time Test runs charts, as well as a former ODI captain of his country. His standing in the game is without question, but Azhar still has a point to prove when it comes to batting in difficult English conditions.
A determined 139 at Edgbaston in Pakistan’s 2016 tour is Azhar’s standout highlight on these shores so far, but he will have a chance to further enhance his reputation and his batting records starting in Kent on Saturday.