Azhar Ali touted as potential replacement for Virat Kohli in Surrey
English county club Surrey have reportedly turned their attention towards Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali in the wake of Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s absence due to a neck injury recently. Surrey are yet to name a replacement for Kohli and are also looking to hand Asad Shafiq a contract for the season.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli was all set to participate in this year’s county championship after he agreed to play for Surrey with the permission of the BCCI so as to prepare for the upcoming tour to England in July. But all that changed after Kohli suffered a neck injury towards the end of the IPL season and was subsequently ruled out of playing any form of competitive cricket for at least month. This came as a huge blow for Surrey, who will miss out on the services of one of best batsmen in the world at present.
Kohli was scheduled to join the squad for the month of June and was to play three List A and three first-class games. Kohli’s injury, however, puts him in doubt for the ODI games against Ireland and England.
However, Cricinfo suggested the British club was looking towards Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali as a potential replacement for the Indian skipper. As per the report, the Surrey spokesperson denied any news of Azhar signing a deal, but it is to be noted that the county is yet to name the replacement for Kohli.
Ali, who was named the captain of the Pakistan team after Misbah Ul Haq’s retirement, was touted to be on Surrey’s wish-list as was compatriot Asad Shafiq who was seen as a replacement for Australian Test batsman Matt Renshaw. Renshaw was called up to the squad in place of banned teammate Cameron Bancroft earlier this year.
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur also backed Azhar and Shafiq to play county cricket as he said, "Our chosen players, we're hoping to get Azhar and Asad to play some county cricket. There is a little bit of interest at the moment, for a short period of time. Because those guys don't go to these leagues and stuff, if they were to play county cricket we'd certainly encourage that."
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Test tour of England ended on a losing note as the home team made a comeback after losing the first match and handed Pakistan a loss by a margin of an innings and 55 runs to level the series 1-1.