Pakistan vs New Zealand 2018: Azhar Ali continues to get himself run out

There are not a lot of things that Azhar Ali needs to change with regards to his batting technique. But he certainly needs to work on his running between the wickets. One of the most assured batsmen in the Pakistani line-up, Azhar on Saturday got run out twice in two Tests just because of a flawed judgement.

If his dismissal in the first Test was bizarre and surprising for how little presence of mind and situational awareness he showed, this time it was lack of coordination and trust between two batting partners. He was batting with No.4 Haris Sohail, the two were well set and had laid a solid foundation for the team to capitalize on.

After adding 126 runs together, Azhar all of a sudden decided to take a risky run in the 71st over of the innings. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel bowled one on middle and leg, the batsman pushed it towards mid-off and wanted to scamper for a single. He set off immediately after making contact with the ball.

Little did Azhar realize that his partner at the other end was least interested in risking his wicket for a single. Halfway down the pitch, he saw the bowler collect the ball, his partner was put and then turned around. It was Tim Southee who fielded the ball and fast bowlers are usually quick with their throws.

Southee got it sent it towards wicketkeeper BJ Watling sensed that he couldn’t stay behind the wickets and wait for the ball. He rather approached it and collected the ball from ahead of the stumps, dived towards the wickets and broke it in time.

Azhar Ali tried really hard, but replays on the big screen showed he was well short when the stumps were disturbed. He once again lost his wicket after working really hard for the runs and settling in. He was dismissed for 81 and Pakistan ended day 1 on 207/4, with Sohail unbeaten on 81 and Babar Azam on 14.

Here is the video Azhar Ali’s run out:

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