Wisden overview
Azhar Mahmood is a mentally tough allrounder whose career has been hampered by injury although he usually manages to walk straight back into the side when fit. He is a belligerent batsman, and began his career with three Test centuries against South Africa. In one-day cricket he invariably raises the tempo in the lower middle-order. He is strong off his legs and relishes short bowling. But he pushes at the ball too firmly in defence and is particularly vulnerable against legspin. In a team of reverse swingers he is the only English-type seamer, virtuous in his pursuit of line and length. He is a useful fielder and, close in, he rarely misses an opportunity to enquire about the batsman's health. Kamran Abbasi

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