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.
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."
"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."