Youngsters need to step up: Mohsin

PCB chief selector wants positive results from ongoing coaching programme.

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Selector Mohsin Khan, who is also performing duties as a batting coach at the ongoing Fast Track Coaching Programme, said that the country’s young brigade is almost ready to take on the reins of the national team.

Mohsin, a former batsman, was hopeful of positive results – in the form of solid performances in match situations from the youngsters – after the coaching programme ends.

“At the moment, with the exception of two or three players, we’re relying on the young blood at our disposal,” Mohsin told reporters at the National Cricket Academy. “We have called them to the camp only because of their lack of maturity, which is a vital ingredient to succeed at the international level.

“They need to mature quickly as each one of them is a professional and is being paid a good amount.

“We have a very young squad, and with the exception of Taufeeq [Umar], Younis [Khan] and Misbahul Haq, everyone else in the national setup is quite young. We’re trying to make them mentally tougher and are helping them to remove their flaws so that they can become world class players.”

Performance is the key

The board had invited the country’s top performers in domestic cricket to the coaching programme. However, surprisingly many seasoned campaigners were ignored, which included players like Test discards Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal.

The board had initially also ignored Ramiz Raja, the top scorer in the last domestic season, but included him at the last minute. Mohsin was quick to point out that players have to perform exceptionally well to catch the selectors’ eyes.

“We have immense talent in our country but this doesn’t mean that those not called to the programme will be completely overlooked. But whatever the level of talent that they possess, they have to perform as well. Batsmen need to score and bowlers have to take a lot of wickets to catch eyes of the selectors. “

Mohsin, who scored a Test double hundred at Lord’s – the highlight of his playing career, added it was now upto the players to payback the hard work put in by the coaches at the camp.

The former Test opener said that the coaches have given each player a lot of time and the players have responded well to the input.

“The boys are responding well but I want to say that I believe only in results. The players are giving their hundred per cent here and this should be demonstrated in match situations in the form of performances that help Pakistan win.”

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