Azhar Ali: Champions Trophy qualification is Pakistan's priority

Qualifying for the Champions Trophy is Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali's main priority and the 30-year-old said his team will be focussed on that in the remaining two ODIs against Zimbabwe.Pakistan, currently ninth in the ICC ODI rankings, need to finish in the top eight to qualify for the Champions Trophy tournament in England in 2017 and the cut-off date for qualification is September 30, 2015. In order to move up the rankings, Pakistan need to clean-sweep the ODI series against Zimbabwe to keep their hopes alive while they also need to be at their best in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in July, which is their last series before the cut-off date.

Azhar managed his first win as ODI captain when Pakistan, riding on Shoaib Malik's terrific hundred, beat Zimbabwe by 41 runs at the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore to take a 1-0 lead. Speaking after the game, Azhar, who was one among four Pakistan batsmen to score more than fifty, said: "Our target is to win all the matches of the series and it's the main target for us. We will learn from our mistakes in the past and will try to take a fresh start. We have another opportunity tomorrow to improve our game and build a combination, which transforms into a very good team."

"We will try to give consistent chances to the players but at the same time we have a priority to make sure we won't miss out from the Champions Trophy too and will also help our future plans. It's such an occasion as a team and for me that it's very important to win. You also know the scenario that we have to win every match and with every game points count, every game is important and we will enter with our minds set on victory," Azhar said.

Malik, playing his first ODI after two years, notched up a 76-ball 112 with 12 fours and two sixes to steer Pakistan to 375-3 -- their highest against Zimbabwe -- before restricting the tourists to 334-5 in 50 overs. Speaking about Pakistan's win, Azhar said: "It was an outstanding effort from the batsmen. Hafeez gave us a good start. Haris (Soahil) and Malik continued the good work. The wicketwas very good and it was tough for the bowlers. We have to adapt to the conditions and not give away many runs. I have been working hard on my batting. I try to go out and play fearless cricket and set an example for the team. We need to have the right balance between caution and aggression."

Elton Chigumbura, whose maiden ODI ton went in vain, hoped for a better effort from the bowlers and the batsmen in the matches to come. "I thought we applied ourselves well. But the last seven overs didn't go our way to get the score. I am delighted with my knock, hopefully, can get more in the next game. I thought we started well with the ballbut didn't execute the yorkers at the death. It was still a good wicket to bat on, it was important to score as many runs as possible."

For Malik, making his ODI comeback after a lengthy break, the hundred was a much-needed one as it was his first fifty-plus score in 31 innings. Malik, who was named the Man of the Match, said: "I needed it. I was asked to bat at No. 5, but Waqar (Younis) and Mushtaq (Ahmed) came to me and told me to go at No. 4. So, that push helped me play well. I have been performing well in the domestic tournament, I have got a nice flow going on. Before I got selected, I have been playing leagues all round the world, I want to play as an allrounder. I want to bowl and have been working hard on it. I am still in that learning process and hope I keep learning. I am honoured to get this award. I would like to thank the people who backed me and those who didn't as well."