Azhar gives Pakistan 226 reasons to cheer

In a few months, Younis Khan, 37, and Misbah-ul-Haq, 40, will slowly be faded out. Pakistan have been well and truly in transition since the 2015 World Cup, but their future is not nearly as bleak as it was painted following the ODI whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh. It hasn't reflected the true picture of their future prospects.

Over the last year, Azhar Ali has averaged 64.53 while Asad Shafiq has been scoring at 62.72. Both players are likely to be key members in future Pakistan batting line-ups, and will be expected to take Pakistan cricket ahead. They have been around for enough time now, and they have duly stepped up. They made big scores in Mirpur, proving once again that Pakistan batting future, at least in Tests, is stable enough to look beyond the veteran hands of Younis and Misbah.

Azhar's maiden double-century may not have been delightful to watch, but it absorbed a lot of storm. For some time during his 428-ball stay at the crease, he had to play for a survival, especially in the opening hour of the day two after unexpectedly losing his captain Misbah at the other end. But just when it seemed as if Pakistan would collapse again, Azhar and Shafiq gathered themselves and laid a solid 207-run partnership in just 54.3 overs to ensure the visitors kept the edge. They not only set up a huge total, but also instigated a sense of calmness.

When asked if he was ready to move out of the shadow of Younis, Azhar said: "The way Younis bhai played in the first innings, that is his class and how can you say that we can play like that? He has a special class and we youngsters can only make an effort to contribute according to our roles. Otherwise, we are not even close to him as a player.

"We wish he remains fit and stays much longer and continues serving Pakistan because the more he stays around us, the more comfortable we feel in his presence. When he comes to the crease with you, things automatically started to ease down. Matching his class is just not possible, but yes we in the future, we have to step up and score like him. We need to make Pakistan win with such contributions.

"As a batsman, it's up to us to play our roles and the way Misbah and Younis bhai carried us through the years, it is time for us to rise. The focus now is to play big innings and lead the team form the front like they have been doing. We have learnt a lot from them, took a lot of time, and now it is the time to apply ourselves."

Azhar was named the team's ODI captain following the 2015 World Cup to kick-start the PCB's plans for transitioning Pakistan cricket. Those plans, however, were heavily dented following the ODI and T20 defeats to Bangladesh. On his part though, Azhar remained consistent with the bat. There were suggestions that had he failed in the ODIs, it might've pushed even his Test spot into uncertainty, but Azhar held a different view.

"I always talk to myself that I have to focus on my game rather than thinking too much about the outside pressure. I had done well in the ODIs with an additional responsibility and it didn't distract me as my focus was to carry on my form."

Pakistan are in strong position going into day three in Mirpur after posting a huge first-innings total and responding strongly to take five Bangladesh wickets, and Azhar lauded his team for pining down the hosts.

"The good thing is that our batsman applied themselves and achieved the target of scoring a big score. But the important aspect was when we took five wickets in 28 overs, which was just like an icing on the cake and this will play an important role to take us ahead in the game."