We’re treating India-Pakistan as a normal game: Azhar

• Opener acknowledges ODIs have become more fast-paced, is hopeful the side can keep up with the rest of the world

When looked at through a traditional lens, Azhar Ali’s One-Day International record reads a fine 1605 runs in 45 matches at an average of 38.21 and a strike-rate of 75.00. But in the new-age big-hitting, chasing 350 age of one-day cricket, a top-order batsman is probably expected to score much quicker. That explains the fewer number of ODIs Azhar has been part of – he has played 60 Tests – even though he has been ODI captain for 31 of those 45 matches.

However, Azhar’s undoubted class and calmness have earned him a recall in Pakistan’s ODI side for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The initiation is not going to be easy though, with its first clash the high-voltage encounter against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 4.

Pakistan has been in the city for close to two weeks now, and has thus sussed out the external conditions well. Internally, it will have to deal with the inevitable pressures that an India-Pakistan match demands.

“I think when the game starts, it feels quite normal (for the players),” held Azhar after a lengthy training session on Wednesday (May 31) at Edgbaston. “The players are playing the situation, whatever the teams need at that time. Players are professionals, so they tend to mould into that situation rather than thinking too much about who we are playing. It’s a ball and bat and you just want to perform with those.

“As a professional, you have to take it as a game,” he stressed. “No international game comes easy to you, you have to work hard for it and it will be the same against India. For every team, whenever a player puts on his country’s shirt, he aims to give his best. It will be the same for both teams and I think fans will enjoy the game. We are fully focussed on the brand of cricket we want to play and we are taking it as a normal game. I know these words and expectations are there, just like they are in India they will be there in Pakistan too. We’ll try to live up to those expectations.”

But while expectations from outside can be shrugged off, Azhar said he wouldn’t be putting too much pressure on himself. “If you set too many expectations on yourself you will only end up putting more pressure on yourself,” he held. “I’m happy with my fitness and form, really want to go in the middle and perform for Pakistan. Every player in this tournament will want the same, because ICC events are a great opportunity to establish yourself.”

The ‘brand of cricket’ Azhar mentioned though, may need revising, a fact the batsman was fully aware, and accepting, of. “We know that the game has gone quite a long way so we are working on it and we have seen some good results in the recent past,” he said. “Obviously still a long way to go, but we are working towards it. And hopefully we will soon play at the same pace that the rest of the world is playing.”

One possible worry for Pakistan is the fitness of Wahab Riaz, the most experienced quick in the squad. The left-arm pacer had a niggle on his left knee and was seen getting treatment on it during training, though he did bowl a couple of spells. He looked cautious when bowling, but Azhar said he expected Riaz to recover well in time for the match.

“Wahab Riaz has started bowling today so hopefully he’ll be ready to go by the time the match comes,” said Azhar. “He has a small niggle. He has recovered well in the last couple of days so I expect he will be fit. If it was a serious injury, he wouldn’t have bowled today in the nets.”

Azhar also kept his team’s cards close to his chest when quizzed on the possibility of Fahim Ashraf being handed an international debut in the most high-pressure encounter of all on the back of his brilliant showing in the warm-up match against Bangladesh. Coming in at No. 9, Fahim smashed 64 not out off 30 to lead a successful chase of a 342-target. He had bowled reasonably too, giving up 35 runs in six overs of right-arm pace in a high-scoring encounter.

“Well that is up to the team management and captain to decide,” said Azhar. “I think everyone in our squad is a talented player. International cricket always challenges you with pressure, so we do believe everyone has the ability to perform.

“I would not like to name any player,” he added, though he did draw special attention to Babar Azam’s recent form. “Everyone has the potential to perform and they will all try their utmost. But if you see the way Babar Azam has batted in the one-dayers and scored runs, he’s a very talented player. There are lots of youngsters in the team and it’s an exciting atmosphere.”