Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram has said that the appointment of a batting coach would not see any drastic change in the performance of the national team’s players on the tour of England.
The Pakistani batsmen have struggled against England fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the swinging English conditions. They had also struggled in the two Tests against Australia, where they lost the first Test at Lord’s by 150 runs.
The tour still has two Tests, two Twenty20s and three ODI against England.
“It amuses me when I read reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for a batting coach. Obviously, Pakistan’s poor show in England has ‘inspired’ the PCB to mull over an ‘exclusive’ batting coach. But I wonder how a coach will radically change the technique needed to negotiate a moving ball in English conditions?” Akram wrote in an article for the Daily Times.
“First of all, I don’t think a batting coach will do any good. And Pakistan’s current fielding coach Ejaz Ahmed is 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,” he added.
The 44-year-old said that even if the PCB appoints a batting coach, the question is who should be the right man.
“I have read reports where Inzy (Inzamam-ul-Haq) wants to be the coach. Inzy has been one of Pakistan’s best batsmen and his experience can surely come in handy, but when Pakistan already has someone like Ejaz in the coaching staff, why look beyond?” he said.
Akram further criticised the PCB and the team management for recalling former captain Mohammad Yousuf, but admitted that he will “add muscle to the batting line-up’.
“The decision to recall Mohammad Yousuf reflects the state of mind of the national selectors. While ‘retirement’ has become a bit of joke in Pakistan, one can’t deny the necessity of experience in the team,”
“I will assume Yousuf’s inclusion (he had quit the game recently) is well intended and he should add muscle to the batting whenever he gets to play next,” he added.
