Series review: Mohsin deflects praise to Misbah, squad

Coach explains reasons that led to historic Test series triumph against England.


Fawad Hussain February 07, 2012

KARACHI:


Diverting well-deserved credit to the team and captain Misbahul Haq, Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan has said the players’ mental strength and resolve were key factors behind a historic whitewash over England.


Pakistan defeated the world number one Test team 3-0 in a series where no match went to the fifth day with followers dubbing the achievement as the best by the side in cricket’s longest format.

Mohsin believed the reason behind the whitewash – Pakistan’s first over England  and their fifth overall in a series of at least three matches – was the mental toughness shown by the players.

“I’ve been working on it since the day I became coach,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “I knew that our players had no major issues with their techniques. It was just a matter of instilling mental strength in them. We’ve finally got positive results against a side which is famous for possessing strong nerves.

“I feel we mentally outclassed England in this series. We made many comebacks from dismal situations and that’s a sign that self-confidence and mental toughness among the players has developed.”

‘I treat players as sons, brothers’

The former opener said he was making all-out efforts to transfer skills he learnt during his career to the players.

“I want them to learn the things I learnt. I have my own coaching style as well and a personal relationship with the players. Some I treat as my friends, some as my brothers and some as my sons. This approach has helped me develop a good understanding with them and that’s fetching me good results as players listen to what I say.”

Game-plan another reason behind success  

The coach added that the successful implementation of the game plan was another reason behind the wins and Misbah deserved the credit for it after the team recovered from dire situations.

“I give full credit to him since he implemented the game-plans we made very well. Full marks to all the players as well.”

While praise for the bowlers was obvious, the batsmen also received kudos from the coach. “I won’t name individuals. All our batsmen put on a good show during the series. The UAE tracks are not very easy for stroke-making and their performance against a world-class attack deserves a lot of praise.

“We were aware of their skilful bowling unit and we went better prepared after our series against Sri Lanka.”

Coach keeps mum on future

On one hand Mohsin is being appreciated for his tactful coaching skills but on the other end the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on finalising a deal with Dav Whatmore.

Various England players also praised Mohsin besides a number of former Pakistan cricketers amid the PCB’s reluctance to give him extension. However, when asked about the uncertainty over his future role with the team, the coach declined to comment.

“I’m only concentrating on the limited-overs series against England since it is another tough test for us. I’ll continue to serve my country as long as I’m allowed to with grace and dignity and I’m not thinking about the coaching future.”

7-55

Saeed Ajmal started spinning magic from day one of the first Test, bamboozling the England batsmen on his way to career-best innings figures before becoming the quickest Pakistani in reaching 100 Test wickets. He grabbed the man-of-the-series award and, while a bowling action controversy threatened to disrupt the tour, the batsmen were busier trying to find a way out of the web he spun.

19

England were so worried with Ajmal that Abdur Rehman was labelled as a stock spinner. However, Rehman’s contribution was crucial in securing the whitewash and his five-for – after Pakistan were bundled out for 99 – followed a six-wicket haul in the previous Test. The left-armer added variety and proved a thorn in England’s plans of having some respite at the other end.

157

For a modern-day batsman, Azhar Ali’s strike-rate threatened to put the speckled spectators in Dubai to sleep. But as the day progressed, Azhar displayed the true meaning of Test cricket. His patient and stubborn nine-hour innings wearied the England attack and fetched him just his second Test ton. For Pakistan, the 157 runs off Azhar’s bat were enough.

127

Such was the bowlers’ stranglehold on England that Younus Khan’s failures did not matter. But when he came back to form, the right-hander produced a gem and showed the opposition how it’s done. While the pitch may have eased up, Younus’ anger motivated him to

post a splendid 127 that enabled Pakistan post a competitive total.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2012.

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