Azhar Mahmood set prime focus on bowling strategy for Nelson ODI

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood reveals they are bound to create some pressure on the New Zealand in the second One-day international game which is slated at Saxton Oval on January 9.

“Bowling is always our strength,” Azharmood told the media in Nelson ahead on the second ODI.

The 42-year-old Rawalpindi-born Mahmood has urged his wards to bowl out the quality side in the form of Kiwis.

The former all-rounder Mahmood further pointed out that the unit has done well in the past and is ready to deliver in the impending fixture after bowlers looked off-color at the Bay Oval in Wellington.

“That was yesterday, but tomorrow will be a new game, new venue, sunny weather conditions. It will be much comfortable for our side to play here,” Mahmood remarked.

Pertinently, Pakistan players had sweated out in nets which further saw Mahmood was imparting the knowledge to the bowling department spearheaded by left-arm fast bowler Mohammed Amir.

While throwing the stats at the table, Mahmood further saw his bowlers conceding 315 runs in the first game of the five-match series which was eventually won by Kane Williamson-led side by 61 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis Method (DLS).

“For last nine One Day Internationals [ODI] we haven’t conceded 240 or more runs,” Mahmood explained.

Citing the reason for conceding too many runs, Mahmood said bowlers were unable to pick the wickets at regular intervals.

“New Zealand were the first side to post 250 plus against us. This was because we failed to pick up wickets with the new ball, as we use to do,” Mahmood asserted.

However, Mahmood has hailed the efforts of hosts while making most of the familiar condition which further saw the leader Williamson led from the front to register a hundred.

“Credit goes to New Zealand they utilize the home conditions very well,” Mahmood added.

Moreover, Mahmood stated the loss in Wellington was annoying which further saw him stating the left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman has played a decent knock.

“The defeat over Duckworth-Lewis [DSL] method was frustrating for us. Fakhar and the other guy were batting beautifully. And you never know what is going to happen if they batted 10 or more overs,” Mahmood observed.

Pakistan has been struggling in the field which further saw the side had to pay the price heavily after dropping Williamson, as Mahmood stated the visitors could have allowed the hosts to post the maximum of 270 runs.

“If you drop a batsman like Kane Williamson, he is going to punish you. Pakistan could have easily restricted New Zealand to 260 or 270, if Sarfraz held that catch,” Mahmood said.

Recently, Pakistan has lifted the ICC Champions Trophy title as Mahmood reminisced they have faced the tough opponents and with the loss in Wellington he hinted it had been the major below for the side which has been on road to the winning ways

“We have beaten tough sides in Champions Trophy, we have all the skills and talent to beat any side in the world, but unfortunately in the momentum we lost,” Mahmood concluded.

You could follow the bilateral series here: New Zealand Vs Pakistan

Watch Azhar Mahmood speaking to the media persons before the second ODI:

https://www.facebook.com/PakistanCricketBoard/videos/1936843833055606/