New Pakistan ODI skipper Azhar Ali yesterday said he is enjoying his role as captain and relishing the challenge of facing a confident Bangladesh side in the first ODI today at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
“I really feel excited about this challenge. We have a very young side with a lot of energy. I am really looking forward to my captaincy debut tomorrow (today). It will be a great opportunity for me to play in the ODI as well,” Azhar told the media yesterday.
“Bangladesh have really improved in the last few months. We have a young and very talented side. The youngsters are very excited. In the World Cup, I think our bowling attack was one of the best. There is a lack of experience but definitely we are looking forward to the challenge. We have come here to play hard and positive cricket,” he said.
Azhar said he did not read too much into the one-wicket defeat against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in the lone practice match last Wednesday in Fatullah.
“It was a practice game. We tried a lot of things in that game. The good thing is we got everything in that game. I was very happy the way the Bangladeshi players did there. The atmosphere was great and it was the practice we needed. I am really glad our guys played in that game. It was a good practice game,” he said.
Pakistan coach and former fast bowling great Waqar Younis on the other hand agreed with Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan that the home side will start as favourites.
“Yes, they are favourites. I think he felt this way because we are a young side. We don’t mind that. We are in the transition period. We are playing Bangladesh after a while. If he is confident, fair enough. But, we are not lacking anything. We have a disciplined side with match-winners,” said Waqar.