Mixed feelings over appointment of batting coach

Former players divided on whether our batsmen need training at this level.

LAHORE/KARACHI:

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has ruled out the need of a full-time batting coach for the team, believing that former greats like Javed Miandad should work at the grass-root level to coach the players.

Former captain and three-time coach Miandad turned down an offer from the PCB to join the team as a batting coach, working under head coach Waqar Younis. Miandad, also the director-general cricket of the PCB, had earlier agreed to take up the role but informed the board of a change of mind.

“I don’t envisage any change in the team by having a batting coach,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “Out batting in the last few years has been the same and the wins and losses have both come from the same squad.

“You can’t change the technique or style of a batsman once he is playing at the highest level. That is not the place to learn the technique of playing cricket. Batsmen only need to have a proper plan in place before going in to bat and then execute it accordingly.”

Wasim supports hiring of batting coach

As the debate rages on over the need for a batting coach, former captain Wasim Akram has supported the idea of appointing a trainer for the batsmen terming the department as the weak link in the side.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, after the World Cup, stressed the need for a batting coach citing the presence of youth in the team, while Miandad believed players do not require a coach at this level and turned down the request to become the batting coach.

However, Wasim felt there was no harm in appointing a batting coach saying the team should definitely have it.

“Most of the teams around the world have a batting coach so why can’t we?” said the former captain. “Batting has proved to be our weak link in recent times and the appointment of a coach can help overcome that weakness.”

Akram, in the meantime, expressed his satisfaction over the team selection for the upcoming tour of West Indies where some senior players were rested to pave way for the youngsters.

“It was a good decision to rest Umar Gul for the series. The inclusion of youngsters is also a good sign and more young talent should get a chance in the future. We have talented individuals like Hammad Azam who can replace a player of Abdul Razzaq’s caliber.”

The former captain, while praising Afridi’s captaincy, said he should be given a longer-run as captain before urging the bowler to curb the flow of extras that has often landed Pakistan chasing more than they should.

“It should be controlled and I hope Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed are working on it with the bowlers.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th,  2011.