Pakistan's tour of India: Plan before you walk in, says Inzamam

Former captain tells Pakistan batsmen to use their brains in the middle as well.

KARACHI:

Game-plan, and not technique, should be the batsmen’s emphasis ahead of the crunch tour of India, according to former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq who has been appointed batting consultant for the national team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently signed up Inzamam after failing to find a batting coach in time for the Indian tour. Inzamam, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the training camp in Lahore, said that he wants to help them work on their game  in different situations.

“I want to teach players how to set a total or chase a target in different situations,” said Inzamam. “Planning is important at international level, while technical work should be done in first-class or at under-19 level.”

While, according to his own admission, working as a mentor is an entirely new experience for him, Inzamam said that he will try and pass on knowledge of the game he collected in his long and successful international career. The 42-year-old explained that the conditions in India are similar to Pakistan so there would not be an added advantage for the home side, but the team handling pressure better will go onto win the series.

“Pakistan-India matches are always about handling the pressure and whoever does that successfully will win the series. I feel the batsmen who would play aggressively will do well. We’ve got individuals who can turn matches but I want to help the team to produce a collective effort. Everyone has shown interest in developing their game and the board has been supportive as well. I took the job because I was impressed by the team management.”

‘Focus on the game’

Meanwhile, Inzamam warned players, saying that they would be required to focus on their cricket and avoid off-field distractions if they want to well against India. He also refrained from predicting the favourites for the series and expected both teams to put their body on the line to get one better over their rival. He did call for an increased number of Tests for Pakistan, so that batsmen can get rid of their technical flaws.

“As soon we start playing 10-12 Tests a year, our batsmen become technically sound and their temperament improves. Currently, players try to score quickly because of T20 cricket which does not require a lot of technique.”

Ahmedabad T20 now on Dec 28

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to shift the second Twenty20 in Ahmedabad to December 28 instead of the originally-scheduled December 27.

The PCB requested the change since December 27 marks the death anniversary of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto and chairman Zaka Ashraf did not want the team to be on the cricket field as a mark of respect. The tickets for the matches have not gone on sale as yet, making it easier for the BCCI to make the change which was done in 30 minutes, according to Ashraf.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2012.