It’s Not Our Mentality To Focus On Just One Bowler: Haider Ali On Lockie Ferguson's Absence For the T20 Series

Young Pakistan sensation Haider Ali would be one of the stars in action when the T20I series in New Zealand gets underway on the 17th of December. Pakistan’s reasonably brief tour of New Zealand kickstarts with the first of the three T20Is in Auckland that precedes the two-Test series. Haider Ali, who enjoyed a sensational T20I debut last year in England, believes that Lockie Ferguson’s absence will not make a massive difference to them.

Lockie Ferguson was the star performer in the T20I series against the West Indies in which he took seven wickets in two matches at eight, including a five-wicket haul. Unfortunately, the right-arm speedster’s stress fracture in his back has forced him out of the upcoming leg. Yet, the Kiwis have few things to worry about since they have competent pacers like Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Tim Southee.

Haider Ali underlined that they are preparing to face all the fast bowlers of New Zealand and not focussing on one. The 20-year old highlighted that they respect all the bowlers since even part-time bowlers could sometimes prove their worth by taking wickets; hence, they have to be cautious.

“I don’t think it is a big difference to us because we are preparing to face all their bowlers and we don’t believe in focussing on any one particular bowler. We give importance to all opposition bowlers be it Ferguson or anyone else. Sometimes it happens that the part-time bowlers take wickets instead of the main bowlers. It’s not our mentality to focus on just one bowler,” Ali said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

I want to play longer innings and pace my innings accordingly: Haider Ali

Haider Ali further said that he wants to spend as much time as he could on the crease, playing every ball to its merit. The right-handed batsman admitted the frustration mounting due to the extended quarantine period they had to undergo, but they are doing their best to prepare for the white-ball series.

“I am working on staying at the wicket for a longer period of time and not trying to hit the ball every delivery. I want to play longer innings and pace my innings accordingly. The quarantine period was not easy for us as we were forced to train in our rooms and couldn’t have any nets or training for 14 or more straight days. At times it was disappointing and a bit frustrating. We are trying to best utilise the days available to us to prepare for the three T20 matches,” he added.

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