Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali has said
that his side will be committed to qualifying directly for the ICC Cricket
World Cup 2019 after putting a strong performance in the ICC Champions Trophy,
which will be played in the summer next year.
“The ICC 2017 Champions
Trophy is a crucial event for us, where
as a team our main goal will be to win as many matches as possible so that we
can improve our team ranking and qualify automatically for the ICC Cricket
World Cup 2019,” he said in a statement after the ICC announced the Champions
Trophy schedule on Wednesday.
“A lot of ODI cricket is scheduled in the lead
up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, and it will be our best chance to learn,
improve and win as many matches as possible so that we arrive in England and
Wales next year fully prepared and ready for the challenge,” said the Azar Ali Pakistan
captain.
Azhar Ali said he was hoping that Pakistan
cricket team would work out its
weaknesses in time to win the trophy.
“The ICC Champions Trophy
is one trophy which is missing from our cabinet. It has earned the status as one
of the most demanding, challenging and intense competitions. So, it will be
nice if we can get our hands on this piece of silverware next year.”
Ali, who has already
represented the Men in Green in 33 ODIs, where he averages over 41 with the
bat, went on to further emphasise the importance of the preparation before the
main event, where team Pakistan are placed in Group B alongside defending
champions and arch-rivals Sri Lanka,India and South Africa.
“In the face of competition
from some outstanding teams and players, it will not be easy,” he said. “But
success at any global event comes only after persistent preparations and
efforts, which have to be backed up by consistent performances.
“I am hoping that over the
next 12 months, we will be able to build on our strengths and achieve our
objectives.
