Tactically Azhar Ali looks like he’s ways behind, asserts Ricky Ponting

SportsCafe Desk
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Azhar Ali's reign as Pakistan skipper has not had the greatest of starts, with an innings defeat at the Gabba with Babar Azam the only shining light from the first Test. Ponting feels that Ali’s captaincy has been terrible, and suggested that Pakistan need a more experienced skipper at the helm.

After losing the first Test, Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali has come under intense scrutiny with Ponting suggesting that Pakistan need a more experienced leader at the helm. The comment comes after Pakistan’s innings defeat at the hands of the dominating Australian side. Losing the toss on Day 1 of the second Test, the away side got off to a good start reducing Australia to 1 down in the first hour before David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne rebuilt the innings on Day 1.

"Terrible. He just looks like he’s a long way off the mark, Azhar Ali. He’s only captained 16 first-class games in his life, so he’s a young captain in charge of a young bowling team and they look like they just need a bit more experience at the helm," said Ponting to cricket.com.au.

"It’s obviously not the most skilled bowling attack of all time. But that’s where you need the captain to be able to help out and set certain fields for you, and tell you exactly what he wants you to do as a bowler. It doesn’t look like they’ve had that direction out on the field. Tactically, he looks like he’s been a fair way behind,” he added. 

Ponting also suggested that he had predicted Pakistan’s fate five overs into the game, as the bowlers were waiting for the batsmen to present an opportunity for them instead of making inroads themselves with the ball. 

"From what I’ve seen, their attack is pretty pedestrian. It’s certainly not the best fast-bowling attack I’ve seen Pakistan put out. About five overs into the day, I said to someone, They’re not going to take another wicket for the whole day here," concluded Ponting.

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