Coaches can fill void left by seniors: Salman

LONDON: Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain Salman Butt has predicted Pakistan to become a dominant force in world cricket providing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) abstains from its predilection for continuous chopping-and-changing.

Salman, who was appointed captain for the remaining five Tests on the tour of England following Shahid Afridi’s retirement from the format, remained impressed with his team’s performance in the opening Test at Lord’s where he top-scored for his side in both innings.

“I’m not sure how others saw that game but I think the team did quite well and they showed confidence and the ability to put up a fight,” Salman told The Express Tribune following his appointment as Afridi’s successor. “We have new players in the side who aren’t scared of their opponents and telling each other that we’re capable of beating anyone. The confidence and temperament is starting to develop and once we have it in place, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

The self-enforced withdrawal of Afridi left the dressing room void of big names, especially in the absence of Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, and without the preferred gradual transition, the youth finds itself, yet again, thrown in without a ‘leader’ to guide them through the early jitters. Salman, while ruing the absence of the experienced duo, pointed at the experienced coaching staff - Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed and Ijaz Ahmed - as the motivating force behind the youngsters in testing conditions.

“The most important thing these coaches bring to the dressing room is the mind of a champion. Aqib and Ijaz belong to a World Cup winning side while Waqar was a champion bowler who needs no introduction. These are people who have experienced pressure at the highest level and performed well so there’s nobody better than these three who can describe the game to a youngster.”

As Afridi’s named deputy on the tour, Salman was deemed the natural replacement should the need arise and, according to the opener, he had mentally prepared himself for that prior to the announcement. There were, however, reservations over his appointment viewing his importance to the fragile batting line-up Pakistan will be putting forward in the next five matches.

The captain, however, has confirmed that the added responsibilities will not have an adverse effect on his scoring and unswerving temperament on display against Australia.

“As a player, it’s the same for me to be playing as a player or as a captain. I just go out there and perform to the best of my ability.

“There won’t be any changes to my style. All I need to do is get my basics right and do the simple things well - watching the ball. I got this advice from one of the best openers in the world to watch the ball from the bowler’s hand until it reaches you and let your body react to it. And that is what I’ve been following and with great success.”

While success for the left-hander has come easily, especially against Australia, consistent performance from a young team in five back-to-back Tests has become a huge task. The captain, however, has placed much confidence in the squad and, while remaining patient, he has predicted brighter days for Pakistan cricket.

“I’m not promising big things but there is hope and the future is safe.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2010.