LAHORE — Newly appointed Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali Saturday said his team will not take Bangladesh lightly after its strong World Cup performance, promising a tough fight from his young players next week. Ali will lead the team for the first time on tour starting with the first of three One-Day Internationals in Dhaka Friday. He replaced Misbahul Haq, who retired from one-day cricket after Pakistan slumped out of this year's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, in the quarterfinals. Ali, 30, said his team is ready for Bangladesh, which shocked England to also reach the World Cup quarterfinals, where it lost to India. “Bangladesh's performance in the World Cup was good and they looked a much-improved side. They are also tough in their condition, so we are no way going to take them lightly,” Ali told reporters on the last day of the training camp. “There will be two teams fighting and I believe my young boys will perform well,” said Ali about the tour where Pakistan will also play a Twenty20 International followed by two Tests. Ali said his young team, including new uncapped opener Sami Aslam, will progress with time. “I understand cricket has changed a lot and obviously we do have to take our cricket forward in a positive way. But if you expect a sudden change that is not going to happen as rather breaking in the race we should gradually bring on a change.” Ali said he was inspired by former captain Misbah, who is still leading Pakistan's Test side. “I have a big example of Misbah who led Pakistan in tough times and positively. Being a team member I saw a lot of good things in him, how he handled the situations so this is going to help me. “There are a lot of great captain around the world, but for me Misbah is the best captain I have played with.” Ali hoped his under-performing batsmen will show improvement. “Bowlers definitely did well in the World Cup so we are going to rely on them, but it's important that batsmen should also feel the sense of responsibility. “Cricket is changing and we as a team have to play with a positive frame of mind. I am seeing how excited the players are. They want to do something good for Pakistan and I am sure... it will be a different side.” Waqar wants right attitude Coach Waqar Younis has warned Pakistan players to show right attitude otherwise they will be left behind in international cricket. “Whosoever does well for Pakistan and play with the right attitude, he will stay,” Waqar said. “It's not my team or your team, it's Pakistan's team and we all want the good result.” Waqar had expressed reservations against some players in his World Cup report to the Pakistan Cricket Board. As a result selectors have dropped three top order batsmen — Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal — for the one-day series against Bangladesh while experienced Younis Khan only managed to make the Test squad. “Yes, in my report I have written my reservations to the PCB and most of them were accepted,” Younis said without singling out any axed player. “There's a dire need of a right attitude toward many aspect of the game and if we don't do it, we will be left behind. “It's a new era and with these players. I am optimistic that they can serve Pakistan for long,” Younis said. “Talent is there but it's all about opportunities which they have it now and I am hopeful they will do well in the upcoming series.” — Agencies
