These days a heated debate regarding a batting coach for the
Pakistan cricket team is going on. We know that our team is struggling
in the batting department for the last many years and even during the
recently concluded World Cup in India. Pakistan enjoyed an impressive
run in the World Cup but lost the semifinal against archrivals India
after failing to chase down an achievable target of 261 runs. The
defeat, to a large extent, was due to the batsmen’s inability to handle
pressure during the run-chase. Even before the semifinal loss,
Pakistan’s batting had remained the weak link for much of the
tournament.
Pakistan bowlers have always performed well but our batting and
fielding, most of the time, have caused pain for the fans around the
globe. Many former cricketers believe if the Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) had acquired the services of a batting coach then the results of
the World Cup might have been different. I agree with former cricketers
that Pakistan do need a batting coach. The way our players play
reckless shots and ‘gift’ their wickets to their opponents is a cause
of great concern. Pakistan have won many of their matches due to
bowlers.
Following the World Cup, Pakistan limited-overs captain Shahid
Afridi stressed the need for a batting coach, calling for the
appointment of former captain Javed Miandad for the job. However, the
legendary batsman declined to take the post saying that batsmen at the
top level do not require a trainer. But I am not convinced by Miandad’s
views. A batting coach can bring a huge change and will be very
important for our batsmen. There is no doubt we have great talent but
it needs guidance. A batting coach can help change the way our batsmen
approach tough situations and in some cases can also work on technical
aspects.
According to media reports, some foreigners, Zaheer Abbas and
Inzamamul Haq are top contenders in PCB’s list of possible candidates
for the job. The position of Pakistan batting coach is not an easy one.
The PCB needs to look for a man with an extraordinary work ethic, for
that is not, inherently, a strength of Pakistan cricket. He must be
willing to stay in the background, and that will be a challenge because
our media can be extremely intrusive. He must be a giver. Pakistan
needs to pick a man who himself has performed exceptionally well on a
cricket ground, because Pakistan, like no other nation, is unwilling to
listen to someone who doesn’t have a track record. The Pakistan players
would only accept a top Test player as their batting coach. With whom
the players share their deepest anxieties and fears.
In my opinion former Test batsmen Saeed Anwar and Basit Ali can
solve the batting problems being faced by Pakistan. Both were the
finest batsmen of their time and served Pakistan cricket with
distinction. They are ideal candidates: hardworking, unassuming and
flexible former Test players. Saeed played 55 Tests with 11 centuries
and 247 ODIs with 20 centuries. Majestic timing and placement were
Saeed’s hallmarks. He was an opener capable of electrifying starts in
all cricket through graceful strokeplay rather than brute force. He
held the record for the highest ODI score till Sachin Tendulkar
upstaged him, and on his day he was one of the most gracefully
compelling players on the international stage. Basit, who played 19
Tests and 50 ODIs, was compared with Miandad when he first burst onto
the international scene at the age of 22. He was a natural timer of the
ball through the covers and point, a dashing, daring hooker and puller
against the quicks, and possessed a seemingly nerveless temperament.
His risk-taking tendencies made him a regular in the Pakistan one-day
side for three years. Over the years, Pakistan has produced a number of
great batsmen. And I suggest the PCB should make a choice between Saeed
and Basit.
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