[VIDEOS] Worcestershire CCC sign Azhar Ali for the 2022 County Championship & Royal London OD Cup

[MenInG]

Worcestershire CCC have moved to sign prolific Pakistan Test opener Azhar Ali for the entire 2022 LV=Insurance County Championship campaign.

Ali committed to Worcestershire on Wednesday evening and should be available to play all 14 County Championship matches this summer.

Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group Chairman, Paul Pridgeon, described Ali as “a quality signing who will also be great in the dressing room.”

The right-hander has played 91 Tests for his country spanning 11 years since making his debut in 2010 and has scored 6721 runs at an average of 42.53 with 18 centuries.

Ali already has experience of County Championship cricket, through three spells at Somerset, and he scored a century against Worcestershire on his debut at Taunton in 2018.

He is set for his Worcestershire debut in the opening County Championship game against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground beginning on April 7.

Worcestershire supporters will have the first opportunity to see Ali in action at New Road against Sussex in a game that gets underway on April 21.

The former Pakistan captain replaces Australian Matthew Wade in one of Worcestershire’s overseas player spots. The wicket-keeper batsman is unable to join the County as planned for 2022 after being picked up by the Gujarat Titans for this year’s Indian Premier League.

Pridgeon said: “I think it is a fantastic signing and Alex Gidman (Head Coach) is delighted. Azhar should be available for all 14 County Championship matches.

“His record in Test cricket is outstanding, and he offers great experience and is of high quality.

“He has got a lot going for him, and it is excellent as well that we’ve got someone available to play County Championship cricket all summer. It gives us that stability.



“Azhar will be great in the dressing room as well and will also be able to pass on some good information and experience to the young lads.

“We spoke to Andy Hurry (Somerset Head Coach), and he said Azhar is singularly the nicest human being you could ever come across.

“The fact he has played county cricket already so knows all about English conditions is another plus factor.”

Ali has vast experience and made his first class debut two decades ago.

His Test debut came at Lord’s against Australia in 2010, and he has been a critical component in the Pakistan side ever since.

Ali hit his highest Test score of 302 not out against the West Indies in Dubai in October 2016 when he batted for 11 hours.

He has a total of 41 first class hundreds and 14,040 runs.

https://wccc.co.uk/worcestershire-mo...ner-azhar-ali/

[samiakh]

They must be desperate. He is a nice guy. But he has not made runs in a while.

[badsha001]

They must be desperate. He is a nice guy. But he has not made runs in a while.

with age comes wisdom and experience which might be more valuable than his runs at that level.

[Omer2002]

with age comes wisdom and experience which might be more valuable than his runs at that level.

Should have gone for Abdulla Shafique

[Rana]

Must have been a bargain deal.

[Major]

good signing, he has experience and can be good help to his team

[Amjid Javed]

Worcestershire CCC have moved to sign prolific Pakistan Test opener Azhar Ali for the entire 2022 LV=Insurance County Championship campaign.

Ali committed to Worcestershire on Wednesday evening and should be available to play all 14 County Championship matches this summer.

Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group Chairman, Paul Pridgeon, described Ali as “a quality signing who will also be great in the dressing room.”

The right-hander has played 91 Tests for his country spanning 11 years since making his debut in 2010 and has scored 6721 runs at an average of 42.53 with 18 centuries.

Ali already has experience of County Championship cricket, through three spells at Somerset, and he scored a century against Worcestershire on his debut at Taunton in 2018.

He is set for his Worcestershire debut in the opening County Championship game against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground beginning on April 7.

Worcestershire supporters will have the first opportunity to see Ali in action at New Road against Sussex in a game that gets underway on April 21.

The former Pakistan captain replaces Australian Matthew Wade in one of Worcestershire’s overseas player spots. The wicket-keeper batsman is unable to join the County as planned for 2022 after being picked up by the Gujarat Titans for this year’s Indian Premier League.

Pridgeon said: “I think it is a fantastic signing and Alex Gidman (Head Coach) is delighted. Azhar should be available for all 14 County Championship matches.

“His record in Test cricket is outstanding, and he offers great experience and is of high quality.

“He has got a lot going for him, and it is excellent as well that we’ve got someone available to play County Championship cricket all summer. It gives us that stability.



“Azhar will be great in the dressing room as well and will also be able to pass on some good information and experience to the young lads.

“We spoke to Andy Hurry (Somerset Head Coach), and he said Azhar is singularly the nicest human being you could ever come across.

“The fact he has played county cricket already so knows all about English conditions is another plus factor.”

Ali has vast experience and made his first class debut two decades ago.

His Test debut came at Lord’s against Australia in 2010, and he has been a critical component in the Pakistan side ever since.

Ali hit his highest Test score of 302 not out against the West Indies in Dubai in October 2016 when he batted for 11 hours.

He has a total of 41 first class hundreds and 14,040 runs.

https://wccc.co.uk/worcestershire-mo...ner-azhar-ali/

Prolific? his batting has been that of a tailender against decent test sides in last 5 years.

[silentkiller187]

azhar ali has done well for somerset in the past in county cricket so could do a job for worcs

[Hassaan HS]

�� �� �������������� �������� ������ ������ ���������������� ������������ | خوش آمدید اظہر

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears@AzharAli_ @TheRealPCB

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) February 22, 2022

[Loralai]

He will fail just as he did for Somerset where he was averaging in the low twenties.

He is well past his best and is probably touching 40. His career is over and he should have retired after the recent England series in 2020 where his captaincy was badly exposed in the first Test (a Test we should have won).

[Maher96]

Weather permitting Azhar bhai, should make a start in this season’s Championship.

[silentkiller187]

Azhar Ali in the starting XI for Worcs who won the toss and will bat first.

Match start delayed by rain.

[MenInG]

Azhar Ali in the starting XI for Worcs who won the toss and will bat first.

Match start delayed by rain.

Azhar Ali run out for 2

[Saj]

Horror start for Azhar:

2 and 1.

[James]

Had a dreadful match.

[The_KING]

He is only embarrassing himself at this point.

[gazza619]

I cant believe cricket is being played in these miserable freezing cold conditions.

[James]

I cant believe cricket is being played in these miserable freezing cold conditions.

The season always starts in April!

And the sun was out today.

If it’s chilly, wear more layers.

[Firebat]

Azhar Ali's dismissals for 2 and 1 respectively in his 1st County match this season:

[MenInG]

Making himself useful Azhar....

���� ���������������� ������������ �������� ������ �������������� ��

This is how @AzharAli_ took his first Worcestershire wicket ��

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears pic.twitter.com/5pb92qrQhB

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) April 10, 2022

[Amjid Javed]

Horror start for Azhar:

2 and 1.

Im surprised hes managed to score so heavily, am sure many more inns like this to come.

[MenInG]

So far so good vs Sussex, 3*

[Firebat]

Azhar falls for 20:

Wicket | Azhar Ali lbw b Haines 20

Azhar Ali is struck on the pads and is adjudged lbw for 20.

Worcestershire 133/4 after 32.3 overs.

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) April 21, 2022

[gazza619]

Azhar falls for 20:

Wicket | Azhar Ali lbw b Haines 20

Azhar Ali is struck on the pads and is adjudged lbw for 20.

Worcestershire 133/4 after 32.3 overs.

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) April 21, 2022

Normal day at the office I guess.

He will for sure score a snail pace hundred in one of the games along with with a few low scores to ensure the average is around the mid 30 mark by the end of the season.

[MenInG]

Normal day at the office I guess.

He will for sure score a snail pace hundred in one of the games along with with a few low scores to ensure the average is around the mid 30 mark by the end of the season.

Hainesy again. �� pic.twitter.com/wrGA2TOPvB

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 21, 2022

[Snowflake]

Azhar falls for 20:

Wicket | Azhar Ali lbw b Haines 20

Azhar Ali is struck on the pads and is adjudged lbw for 20.

Worcestershire 133/4 after 32.3 overs.

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) April 21, 2022

Okay that was a horrible decision but how can you miss such innocuous dibbly dobblers? Kind of serves him right lol

[Amjid Javed]

i bet Worcs are regretting signing such a mediocre player for the team.

[MenInG]

Gone for 6 - another failure!

REPLAY | 94 Test appearances, no answer to the brilliance of @DanePaterson44.

Watch #NottsvWorcs live �� https://t.co/rlKaIuyuBA#TrentBridgeLive pic.twitter.com/kOwsrjzNEv

— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 28, 2022

[TheSultan]

Poor Worcester!

Azhar is becoming an embarrassment. I think commentary box is the way forward

[Amjid Javed]

Worcester should cancel this guys contract and ask for a refund. A tailender in conditions where its not a road. Yet we persist with this loser in test side.

[Saj]

Poor run so far for Worcestershire:

2
1
20
6

Average 7.25

[TheSultan]

Worcester should cancel this guys contract and ask for a refund. A tailender in conditions where its not a road. Yet we persist with this loser in test side.

His batting approach is that of a tailender on a road too! He just manages to score some meaningless runs then.

[MenInG]

Well seems in good spirits as his side fought back towards the end of the day to leave Nottinghamshire 203/7

[Amjid Javed]

Poor run so far for Worcestershire:

2
1
20
6

Average 7.25

No real shock he averaged less than 30 at somerset, one of worst possible overseas county signings ever. i doubt he would score any runs if he was playing for a club side in the uk.

[Maher96]

Surely age has now caught up on Azhar.

Failed Ini every innings so far, May be just playing him for the sake of 100 test matches isn’t it.

There is a reason no Pakistani cricketer has yet achieved that feat.

Lets be honest on form, does he deserve a prolonged run, like he has.

[Nasty Naz]

He'll play vs Sri Lanka, pile of some runs and will retain his spot for at least another year and we will all be extremely disappointed.

He is easily the worst player to watch too. Just extremely boring and doesn't even kick on when he is fully set. Can make the same argument for Fawad Alam but at least his batting stance entertains me. Azhar is just boring, old and not good anymore. The only reason he didn't get cut like Shafiq did is because of his former captaincy and the "experience" excuse.

[MenInG]

Worcs 13/2 - Azhar Ali on 2* .... Can he get to 10?

[MenInG]

Worcs 13/2 - Azhar Ali on 2* .... Can he get to 10?

Unfortunately not

Gone for 5, falls to Broad

[TheSultan]

Unfortunately not

Gone for 5, falls to Broad

This is funny. The guy seriously needs to quit

[MenInG]

This is funny. The guy seriously needs to quit

Azhar's situation is dire

[Junaids]

34 runs in 5 innings, average 6.80.

[Saj]

34 runs in 5 innings, average 6.80.

Terrible numbers.

Confidence seems low and he needs a score very soon or this could get worse for him.

[James]

Could be time to hang up the gloves.

[moghul]

What were Worcestershire guys were thinking when they hired this useless "legend" ?

[Kaddy]

If he continues like this, it would be his last county stint.

[MenInG]

No contributions - and Worcs loses Nottinghamshire by 5 wickets - can it get any worst for him?

[James]

Might be quietly released at this rate.

[MenInG]

Might be quietly released at this rate.

I would also like to see some effects of this on Central Contracts situation as well.

PCB gave him an NOC for a reason and his failure to perform should have an impact

[Amjid Javed]

Shameful performances continue, this guy should have stopped playing back in 2017. PCB will keep picking this guy internationally. I hope countys see sense and dont pick this guy again.

[gazza619]

I hope he keeps failing for Worcestershire

Let's hope for his sake he scores and keeps his bread & butter going. Not needed in team Pakistan though.

[shujaatraza]

Let's hope for his sake he scores and keeps his bread & butter going. Not needed in team Pakistan though.

If he performs here then he will not be dropped from Pakistan team. If he takes retirement from international team then everyone will wish him all the best for any county game.

[MenInG]

Might be quietly released at this rate.

I feel last chance Saloon this - surely Worcs can play another batter who can score more than 10?

[silentkiller187]

Another day, another failure for Azhar Ali, out for a 2nd ball 0

[James]

It only took Durham 4.5 sessions to score 580 on this flat pitch — and then Azhar Ali got out for a second ball duck for Worcestershire soon afterwards, against a Division Two medium-fast bowler who has played barely 20 matches. That is just embarrassing really.

[Zaz]

Its high time he called it quits

Azhar is embarrasing himself and ruining his legacy and stats

Hes been in terminal decline for years now

[gazza619]

Only a matter of time before we scores a big hundred to ensure he averages in the early 30s. Story of his life in the last few years

[MenInG]

It only took Durham 4.5 sessions to score 580 on this flat pitch — and then Azhar Ali got out for a second ball duck for Worcestershire soon afterwards, against a Division Two medium-fast bowler who has played barely 20 matches. That is just embarrassing really.

IT'S POTTSY AGAIN! TWO DOWN.

What a start, Ali joins Libby departing for 0.#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/jqNszbO2FG

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) May 6, 2022

[Usman]

Time to call it a day for Azhar. I hope the selectors are noting this performance which, to be frank, would be embarrassing for a number 11.

No more selections on so called “reputation”, please! Worcestershire deserve a full refund from Azhar and he should give it to them out of sheer embarrassment.

[James]

IT'S POTTSY AGAIN! TWO DOWN.

What a start, Ali joins Libby departing for 0.#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/jqNszbO2FG

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) May 6, 2022

Commentator being very kind to Azhar here, “did it stick in the pitch a bit?” — unlikely! Caught at midwicket to a county seamer is a dross dismissal for a seasoned international batsman.

[Junaids]

34 runs in 6 innings.

He has actually managed to reduce his average even further, to 5.67.

[MenInG]

34 runs in 6 innings.

He has actually managed to reduce his average even further, to 5.67.

My question for Worcs is simple. At what point do you say we cannot play him in our next game?

[James]

My question for Worcs is simple. At what point do you say we cannot play him in our next game?

Worcs looking like they are going to be bowled out early this afternoon and they are still over 300 runs behind. If Durham enforce the follow-on then Azhar could find himself batting again soon. If he wants to avoid being dropped/released then he really is in dire need of a score, or at the very least to show some prolonged resistance.

[Amjid Javed]

Worcs getting their moneys worth here from this pakistani legend. Cant wait to see him play his 100th tests, clearly using this county stint to build up his world class form. All hail the legend that is Azhar Ali.

[Amjid Javed]

34 runs in 6 innings.

He has actually managed to reduce his average even further, to 5.67.

mean while shan masood aiming for 1000 county runs before end of May.

[GreenKhan]

mean while shan masood aiming for 1000 county runs before end of May.

Whilst Azhar Ali is struggling and is in decline comparing him with Shan masood in any capacity is just pathetic .

Azhar Ali even in decline has outperformed Shan in the last 2-3 years .

Shan has scored 32 runs in his last 8 test innings with 3 ducks in his last 4 test innings . Azhar has 2 100s and a few 50s in his last 8 innings .

1000 runs before end of May in the large scheme of things don’t mean anything.

Shan does not even average 30 yet in test cricket despite nearly 26 tests .

[James]

Looks like Azhar Ali will be batting to save the match tomorrow against Durham…

[topspin]

Azhar Ali needs to retire from cricket.

[Firebat]

Azhar going steadily on 20* (46) in Worcestershire's 2nd innings against Durham.

They're 82/2 (19.0), need 360 runs to win.

[Firebat]

Reaches close of play on 23* (57), his team needing 357 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand on the final day.

[MenInG]

Could this be the day?

Azhar Ali 33*....

[MenInG]

These shots though ��

Azhar Ali comes out after lunch on 60*.

Watch him bat in the #LVCountyChamp �� https://t.co/YszqRTGIYc pic.twitter.com/9KEJOzVtmN

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) May 8, 2022

[AMSS]

How much do these counties pay for the services of Azhars and Pujaras?

[MenInG]

Century within reach for Azhar! 81* at the moment

[MenInG]

Out for 92...

RUSHY & we finally have our first of the day.#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/XHirQW8NBN

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) May 8, 2022

[Amjid Javed]

Out for 92...

RUSHY & we finally have our first of the day.#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/XHirQW8NBN

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) May 8, 2022

Thats his 1 good knock usually produces every 10 inns or so.

Im sure he will go back to usually single digit scores again.

[topspin]

How much do these counties pay for the services of Azhars and Pujaras?

Minimum wage which I believe is currently £9.50 per hour.

[James]

Minimum wage which I believe is currently £9.50 per hour.

Is there a source for this one pls ?

ie the overseas player salary rate, not the UK minimum wage.

[topspin]

Is there a source for this one pls ?

ie the overseas player salary rate, not the UK minimum wage.

I'm eager to find the source as well but I guess we'll find out when Azhar Ali has his next interview with PP.

[MenInG]

Good going for Azhar Ali - 70* at the moment

���������� ���� ������ �������������� ��

�� #WeAreWorcestershire | �� #Pears pic.twitter.com/4BpUClkg2F

— Worcestershire County Cricket Club (@WorcsCCC) May 12, 2022

[MenInG]

Out for 88 (192) - chance of a hundred but not to be