CT 2017: Time for us to change the script, says Azhar Mahmood

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has been a man of few words. But ahead of the big marquee final clash against India in the ICC Champions Trophy, the former cricketer has certainly oozed confidence with his verbal deliveries. Azhar has stressed on the fact that the Pakistan team has had the better of the Indian side on most occasions in the history of the game.

Despite the fact that team India has an upper hand in the ICC tournaments, Azhar believes it is bound to change now. He noted that if the Pakistan team beats India in the finals, it will not be a shock anymore. The team had arrived in the competition with no hopes and was the least ranked side. They ended up beating the tournament favorites England and are now in contention to lift the trophy as well.

“Overall, if you see our record, we’ve beaten India quite often. Definitely, they have had an upper hand in ICC tournaments, but now things have changed and this is the time for us to change the script. We’re playing good cricket. It won’t be a shock. We were No. 8 when we came here and no one gave us credit. At the start, someone asked me who would be in the final, and I said Pakistan. Because I believe in my boys and if the boys can believe that, we can go and win this one,” said Azhar Mahmood as per the quotes in The Hindu.

Beating the odds

Citing examples of how Pakistan has been capable of leading the fightback, Mahmood recalled the moment when the men in green beat England at Cardiff last year in an ODI. He belives that the team in unpredictable and can come up with surprises on their day. He is confident that if they play good cricket, they can beat India in the finals.

“We played against England last year, they got 440 against us but we beat them in Cardiff with good planning and the way the bowlers executed our plans. That’s why we’re so unpredictable and that’s why we have a lot of following. Because if we play good cricket we can beat any team. When we’re good we’re very good but when we’re bad we’re very poor. We want to change that — me and Mickey Arthur and all the coaching staff, we want to bring those things together,” said Azhar Mahmood.

Bigger than the Ashes

Speaking about the rivalry, Mahmood cited that India has refrained from playing against Pakistan in the bilateral series. Now, the two teams lock horns in the bigger arena. Azhar Mahmood conceded that the India-Pakistan rivalry is bigger than the Ashes. He hopes that the team wins the trophy and gives a good gift for Eid to the fans back home.

“India refused to play against us; we’re playing now on a bigger stage. It’s like the Ashes; it’s bigger than the Ashes. We haven’t been playing cricket at home; this is an ICC event and we’re ranked No. 8. Two months back we were fighting to qualify for the World Cup and now if we win this one, it will be a great boost for us. It will be a good gift for the nation for Eid,” he quoted.

On Pakistani bowlers

Talking about Mohammad Amir, Azhar Mahmood noted that the left arm pacer has recovered reasonably well and is likely to play the finals. Even in case Amir fails to recover, the team has a very good bowling option in Rumman Raees. Speaking about the young wicket taker Hasan Ali, Mahmood pointed out that he is a key asset to the team.

“He bowled today. He had no problem whatsoever. Back spasms take two days anyway. We’ll definitely go with Amir, but we don’t mind, if Amir is not playing, then we have Rumman Raees. Raees is a quality bowler as well and he showed in the semifinal that he can do the job for us,” said Mahmood about Amir’s injury.

“He’s one of the best bowlers Pakistan have right now. He’s a wicket-taker, and the reason for our wins is that he comes in the middle period and takes wickets,” he conceded about Hasan Ali.