As the two-week period comprising online training sessions for Pakistan cricketers with the country's greats came to an end, Babar Azam raved over the expertise of former middle-order stalwarts Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan and promised to make good use of the tips that they shared with him.
The lectures delivered by prominent names from Pakistan cricket such as Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif, Mushtaq Ahmed, Moin Khan and Shoaib Akhtar, apart from Younis and Yousuf, started on April 27 so as to ensure players aren't compromising with any aspect of their game amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
A total of 45 current and emerging players, including Babar, took these lectures and learnt how the likes of Wasim, Miandad & co went about their business at the highest level.
"The online sessions were very rewarding, wonderful and have helped in increasing the confidence of the players. From the start of my career I have tried to model my game and seek inspiration from Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan," said Babar in a media release.
"Listening to them has further increased my confidence and I can't wait to put in practice the tips they gave during the lectures. If the lockdown prevails for long, I would strive to stay in contact with these players and seek their guidance on a long term basis."
Head coach and chief selector Misbah Ul Haq thanked all the former players for their support. "I am thankful to all the greats who took time out and spoke to the players," he said. "These lectures have proven to be a wonderful experience for the players especially in these unprecedented and challenging times."
"Life and cricketing experiences shared by the likes of Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed and Younus Khan will encourage the players. I also found the sessions very rewarding as a student of the game," Misbah added. "Such interactive sessions between the players of the past and present provide a rare opportunity in narrowing the gap between different generations of players."
"The greats spoke about various productive ways of spending the time in isolation while giving important tips for the tour of England including advice for mental strengthening of the players."
Young pacer Shaheen Afridi enjoyed taking lessons from people like Wasim and Shoaib.
"These lectures were very useful for me as I learned a lot about various aspects of the game, including both skill and the mental side," he said. "I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of Wasim Akram’s online session."
"Wasim told us to bowl without fear and with confidence, he remains my ideal and I strive to emulate his success by continuing to work hard on my game in the years ahead."
For Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former skipper and recently discarded wicketkeeper batsman, these sessions would've helped as he strives to make a comeback to the national side.
“I consider myself fortunate to belong to a city which is famous for producing top-notch wicketkeepers, including Rashid Latif and Moin Khan," he said.
"Since I also live in Karachi, I keep interacting with both from time to time yet each and every session with these greats provides some valuable lessons and these lectures were no different."
"Moin Khan and Rashid Latif improved my confidence; tips by these wicketkeeping greats are very useful for me," Sarfaraz added.
