Inzamam-Ul-Haq Urges Haider Ali To Play More Sensibly After Throwing Away His Wicket In The Third ODI Against Zimbabwe

Pakistan young sensation Haider Ali enjoyed a dream start to international cricket when he made his T20I debut this year. Haider Ali notched up a breezy half-century against England in Manchester, which also resulted in the visitors’ winning cause. Hence, the youngster also got a chance against Zimbabwe in the home ODI series, which he failed in. And former chief selector Inzamam-Ul-Haq wants him to play more sensibly moving forward.

Haider Ali replaced Haris Sohail for the second and third ODI in Rawalpindi against Zimbabwe. In the third ODI, he made an excellent start by hammering three boundaries. Nevertheless, the 19-year old lost his wicket for a 9-ball-13 trying to find the fence once more. The hosts lost the match via the super over as skipper Babar Azam’s 125 was only enough to tie Zimbabwe’s 279.

Inzamam-Ul-Haq lauded Haider Ali for doing well in T20 cricket; however, needs to improve himself with the bat and his fielding. The former Pakistan captain highlighted the needlessness for playing boundary shots in every delivery and the requirement of doing sensibly in international cricket. Inzamam recalled the third ODI against Zimbabwe when Haider looked for the big shot when he already had three fours. He has advised Ali to stay solid in his technique without changing the natural game.

“Haider Ali has done well in T20 cricket but he still needs to improve a lot in, both, batting and fielding department. He needs to understand that, in international cricket, you can’t play aggressive shots on every ball and should be more sensible in his approach. In the ODI [third one against Zimbabwe] he had already smashed three fours but he still tried to score another boundary and gave away his wicket in the process. I don’t want him to change his natural game but he needs to be more solid in his technique,” Inzamam stated as quoted by CricketPakistan.com.pk.

Haider Ali bats at crucial spots for his team in T20 and ODI cricket: Inzamam-Ul-Haq

The former chief selector understands that he Haider Ali is new to international cricket; however, he needs to regroup and improve himself quickly since he bats at a critical position. Inzamam underlines that number three in T20 cricket and four in ODIs are crucial spots for the national team. After winning the ODI series by 2-1, Pakistan will lock horns in as many T20Is against Zimbabwe, starting Saturday.

“I know he is new to international cricket at the moment but he needs to quickly improve this part of his game as he plays at a very key position in the batting order. He has played at number three in T20 cricket and four in ODIs which are crucial batting spots for a team,” he added.

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