Sports

‘Pakistan in dire need of a batting coach’

Zaheer refuses to confirm willingness for post if approached.

Fawad Hussain April 17, 2011

KARACHI:

Former captain Zaheer Abbas has said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committed a blunder by not hiring a batting coach prior to the 2011 World Cup, saying the team’s showing in the tournament could have been better had the board appointed a good trainer for the batsmen before the mega event.

Pakistan enjoyed an impressive run in the World Cup but lost the semi-final against archrivals India after failing to chase down an achievable target of 261 runs. The defeat, to a large extent, has been blamed on the batsmen’s inability to handle pressure during a run-chase. Even before the semi-final loss, Pakistan’s batting had remained the weak link for much of the tournament.

Stressing the need for a batting coach, Abbas – dubbed as the Asian Bradman for his gluttony for runs – said the PCB should have hired a batting coach well before the World Cup.

“Pakistan could have earned better results in the World Cup if they had a batting coach,” said Abbas. “I advised the PCB and team management to appoint a batting coach before the tournament but to no avail.”

Following the World Cup, Pakistan limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi stressed the need for a batting coach, calling for the appointment of former captain Javed Miandad for the job. However, the legendary batsman declined to take the post saying that batsmen at the top level do not require a trainer.

Abbas, a veteran of 78 Tests and 62 One-Day Internationals, however was not convinced by Miandad’s views.

“A batting coach can bring a huge change and will be very important for our batsmen. There is no doubt we have great talent but it needs guidance. A batting coach can help change the way our batsmen approach tough situations and in some cases can also work on technical aspects.”

According to reports, Abbas is a top contender in PCB’s list of possible candidates for the job, which also has another batting legend Inzamamul Haq and former Australia captain Greg Chappell.

However, Abbas said he was unaware of such a development taking place and has not been approached by the board for the job. He declined to confirm his willingness to take up the offer if it was made, saying that he will “check the terms and conditions before making the decision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

Iceman | 13 years ago | Reply It should not be just Javed Miandad, but a group of batsmen likes of Sadiq Mohammed (opening), Zaheer Abbas (upper-middle order), Majid Khan (opening and upper order) some good all-rounders, lower middle order etc. they were all very accomplished in their own styles and played at different places. We don't need to train our batsmen how to play cricket, but need to train our batsmen to play according to situation and need of the game and not the same way for all occassions.

M. Ali Qureshi | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistani cricketer has less learning power. No batting, bowling and fielding coach can do anything for them unless or until they (Pakistan Cricket Team) do not learn seriously and show disciplines on the ground. For example; Shahid Afridi has played 320 One day internationals but still he has same weakness which he had in his early cricket career. Same case with Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Misbah and rest of the team have. So this team needs a paternalist rather batting, bowling and fielding coach.

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