Pakistan selected nine uncapped players for the home Tests against South Africa.
Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan has called for patience with the youngsters and hopes that the current set of players selected for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa would “get extended chances for at least three to four series” to adapt their game to the highest level.
Apart from allowing the players to play without fear, the Test batting legend believes that the youngsters should be given a longer rope so that they can open up and prove their potential and will also help the coaches to adequately work with the youngsters.
Pakistan named nine uncapped players in their 20-member squad for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa after a disastrous New Zealand tour, suffered a 0-2 whitewash earlier this month.
They have dropped several Test regulars likes Shan Masood, Mohammad Abbas, Imam ul Haq, Haris Sohail, and Naseem Shah and included the youngsters Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, and Saud Shakeel, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Tabish Khan for the upcoming two-Test series.
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Pakistan all included their white-ball specialists Haris Rauf and Abdullah Shafique for the South Africa Test series starting on 26 January at the National Stadium in Karachi followed by the second and final Test at Rawalpindi from February 4. The two teams will also play a three-match T20I series.
As reported by Cricbuzz, Younis said: “It's important for the coaches as well that we need to understand that we need to give them more time. We want the players to spend more time with us as well. When players keep changing after every series, it becomes difficult for us as well.
I hope to spend 1-2 years with this team and work with these players. We need to give time to these players. If you look at the Indian team, the same team that got out for 36 in one inning, went on to win the series.”
On coaching the youngsters: the batting coach said: “In Test cricket, we have inducted several players from T20s and 50-overs. Even I took 3-4 years to get used to Test cricket. I have to ensure that I don't leave them confused by giving too many inputs and sharing too much of my own experience.”
He continued, “It is important that players should focus on winning games. Only when you think of playing for a win, your body language is positive. Of course, there are times when you have to play for a draw. But there are times when players play for their own place.
It used to happen during our times as well, it will happen now also if they don't get that assurance. It's important that the players are assured of their places in the side, that they don't come into the side for one match or one series. They should get a longer rope so that they can open up and prove their potential.”
Younis said his main focus will be to ensure his batsmen are able to concentrate in the game for long periods while insisting the first innings is critical and they must go in with plans and set the tempo.
The batting coach further explained, “Apart from the technique or practice, the ability to concentrate for long periods in the game is important. We've seen players with good technique scoring 50-odd runs and then getting out after a session break. To become a big team in Test cricket, you have to win at least 10 to 12 sessions. You often see teams doing well in one session and then withering away because they don't have the ability to concentrate in the game for long periods.
For batsmen as well, the concentration level is important. We have to improve that. If we can help our players improve their concentration levels, they will score big runs. The first innings is critical. You need to go in with plans and set the tempo.
Otherwise, you don't want to be playing catch up later. Some players play in for long periods but don't cash in on the bad deliveries. We need to dominate in our home conditions.”
After missing the New Zealand series, Pakistan captain Babar Azam is returning for the home series against South Africa and Younis admitted that the star batsman’s comeback is a boost for the team, but stressed the need that the other players must step up and put up match-winning performances for the side.
He further noted, “The absence of Babar Azam was a setback for us because apart from being our main batsman, he was also the captain. That affected the team. That's not to say that we shouldn't have batsmen good enough who can replace even our top batsman.”
Younis signed off by saying, “Our Test team is in a rebuilding phase and needs to be given some time. But that's not to say just because you don't have your star batsman, the team should lose. The rest should also put up a fight ... This is the best opportunity for the younger players as well because they have come to the side after performing well and are in good form.”
Pakistan Test Squad For South Africa Tests:
Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)