Azeem calls for fighting spirit

Hyderabad: With only two days to go, it is back to the nets for Hyderabad cricketers, who will test their fortunes in the Vijay Hazare tournament, which is being hosted in the city from Thursday. The stakes are high while the expectations on the bunch are rather ambitiously enormous.

The team had its first practice session on Tuesday morning with coach Abdul Azeem overseeing the exercise at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, which is one of the four venues for the tournament.

However, Azeem is not happy with the performance of the team in the Ranji Trophy, where it just about ended up avoiding the wooden stick. “Of course, we all practiced hard for the Ranji Trophy, Sadly, the boys failed to deliver on the days that mattered,” Azeem said.

“You see, the team is quite talented. Our main strength is batting and that is where the biggest setback has come from. There were hardly any partnerships worth the name and on most occasions the batsmen committed suicide with poor shots,” he said.

“I believe that the players should put up a spirited fight even when they lose. Meek surrender is uncalled for. It damages the reputation of any team. I tell the boys to let bygones be bygones and focus on the job on hand. I am expecting better results in the shorter affair. I am only hoping that they will give their best shot, match after match. The mindset has to be positive and that matters a lot,” he said.

Meanwhile, the coach feels that the HCA authorities should rope in players from outside. “I am of the firm opinion that our Ranji squad should consist of at least two imports. There is no harm in taking other State players. For instance, each of our opponents in Group ‘C’ fielded two outstation players.

The HCA should be willing to spend on the two, who will eventually be roped in. Of course, the final call should come from the Association and the selection committee. As far as I am concerned I am game for such a move,” he said.