Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad are among the senior figures of Pakistan cricket who will be conducting online training sessions for country's 45 international, emerging cricketers to help them "remain focused and make optimum use of their time" even amid lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed PCB on Sunday (April 26).
These sessions will be organised in partnership by the Pakistan men's team management, led by former skipper and head coach Misbah Ul Haq, and the International Cricket Operations Department, as they look to ensure the players don't compromise with their games while in isolation.
Wasim is inarguably among the greatest-ever fast bowlers to have played the game while Miandad is regarded as one of the finest Pakistani batsmen. Apart from them, Mohammad Yousuf, Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Rashid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan will also share their insights with the players.
"I have always loved sharing my thoughts on the way I have seen and played my cricket. I have not always played textbook cricket, but I have researched the game and modified it according to my requirements, and that has been my success," Miandad was quoted as saying in a PCB media release.
"I look forward to engaging with these players and hope I will be able to give them another perspective which can enhance their individual and team performance. These are our players and this is our team, and anything I can do to uplift their objectives, I will always be available."
Misbah thanked all the former cricketers for their support. "I am grateful to these distinguished cricketers who have agreed to share their experiences with our young and emerging stars," he said. "These stalwarts have many inspirational and motivational stories to share with the young group and I want the current players to absorb what they hear and take learnings from these world-class performers. The interactive sessions will be split based on areas of specialisation."
The team management is hoping for players to pick the brains of these greats ahead of the all-important England tour.
"We have to plan with the mindset that the England series will go ahead," said Misbah. "A number of these greats have been part of series-winning sides in England and, therefore, their insight into how to plan and prepare for that series will be invaluable."
"Themes discussed will include work ethics, approach to the game, plans, practices and methods to perform under pressure, and dealing with challenges that come from being high profile players."
"The online lectures will not be limited to these cricketers and we’ll hopefully be requesting a few more, depending on their availability and our requirements," he added.
