Sports

No need for new batting coach: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram is of the view that the current Pakistan outfit need mental toughness and not an exclusive batting coach.

August 09, 2010

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram is of the view that the current Pakistan outfit need mental toughness and not an exclusive batting coach.

"By introducing a coach, the technique of our batsmen will not change overnight. It amuses me when I read reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for a batting coach," he wrote in an article for the website espnstar.sports.com.

Akram said obviously, Pakistan's poor show in England had 'inspired' the PCB to mull over an 'exclusive' batting coach but a coach would not be able to radically change the technique needed to negotiate a moving ball in English conditions.

"Even if the PCB appoints a batting coach, the question is who should be the right man? I have read reports where Inzi (Inzamam-ul-Haq) wants to be the coach. Inzi has been one of Pakistan's best batsmen and his experience can surely come in handy, but when Pakistan already has someone like Ejaz Ahmed in the coaching staff, why look beyond?"

The erstwhile speedster said the current fielding coach Ahmed was absolutely capable of teaching the lads a few things about batting as well. "During his heydays, Ejaz was a good batsman and he can come in handy. What the boys need is mental toughness and the current team management, including Waqar, can surely pass on a few tips," he added.

He said he had recently written that in spite of beating Australia at Headingley in July, the series against England would be a stiff test for the young Pakistan team. "My worst fears have come true as Pakistan struggled throughout the second Test at Birmingham."

COMMENTS (7)

shahid | 13 years ago | Reply As for Wasim Akram's statement about Ejaz Ahmed as batting coach, I do not agree with his abilities to coach a national team. Look what he did in his position as fielding coach. His performance is zero because the team dropped dozens of catches. We can not compare Ejaz with Inzimam as the latter is one of the best batsman this country has ever produced.

Ilyas Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply I don't think Pakistan needs any batting coach,what they need is,the team picked on merit, I am sure there are loads of players out there in Pakistan,who are better then this current bunch of useless,lazy,and self serving players,they can't bat,they can't field,they can't catch,then wot good a batting coach will do,what Pakistan cricket need is a board witch picks team on it's merits,and not on personal like and dislikes,get rid of ijaz butt and co,and bring in people who care about the country,and themselves.but can we find thease honest peoples in Pakistan?