Mount Maunganui: Former skipper Azhar Ali said he will try to build a partnership tomorrow with Fawad Alam when they resume the last day of the opening test at 71-3 against New Zealand.
Needing 373 runs to win the first Test, Pakistan lost three early wickets of openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali, and Haris Sohail. Rescuing Pakistan at 37-3, Azhar (34*) and Fawad Alam (21*) scored 34 runs together.
“It was hard to accumulate after we lost three early wickets. When Fawad arrived in the ground, I tried to give him full confidence and asked him to stay calm and stay till the end,” he said in an interview after day 4 ended.
“Our plan was to stay there as long as we can. It wasn’t easy to bat under pressure but we tried to give our best,” he added.
“Tomorrow, we will try to put up a strong partnership and build pressure on them. The first session tomorrow will be very important. If we pass that, we can win the match,” he maintained.
On the other hand, Azhar appreciated Neil Wagner for playing with a fractured toe. “Wagner, playing with the fractured toe was an example for all of us. It was a real commitment of him with his country and we really appreciate him,” he concluded.
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