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Azhar: Pakistan heading in right direction

Islamabad - Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali is pleased with the way the side has rebuilt since the Cricket World Cup in early 2015, and feels that patience is not a Pakistan fan's strongest suit.

They have won the ODI series against the West Indies with a match to go, and a win there will see Pakistan climb to eighth in the ICC ODI rankings, a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup in 2019.

Azhar took over as captain after the World Cup in the Antipodes, and feels that such a transition always takes time to become successful, but they're getting to where they want to be.

The skipper said: "It takes time to improve things. You need patience to lift a team.

"We started the rebuilding process after the 2015 World Cup and it takes one-and-a-half to two years so we are going towards that.

"No matter how many captains you change if you want to rebuild the team it takes one-and-a-half to two years.

"Our nation doesn't have the patience, they want to win instantly. If you don't win they get frustrated and want change.

"As a nation we have to take responsibility. It's easy to look at things in hindsight and call for changes."

He added of the areas they have improved upon recently: "We are getting all-rounders who have brought depth in batting and we are scoring 300 plus. 

"We are executing plans in bowling which is good, energy levels are high and with wins you lift your confidence. We have played well in the last five to seven matches (this year)."

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