KARACHI: Pakistan on Tuesday appointed former captain Younis Khan as national team’s batting coach and also roped in Mushtaq Ahmed as spin bowling coach for the upcoming tour of England.
The 42-year-old Younis had scored 10,099 runs in 118 Tests, including a career-best 313 in a successful career during which he also became world number one batsman in the ICC rankings.
Pakistan are scheduled to take on England in a three-Test series from July 30 and then the two teams will clash in a three-match T20I series from August 29.
“I am delighted that someone of the stature and incredible batting record of Younis Khan has agreed to join the Pakistan cricket set-up as national men’s team batting coach,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.
“Younis’ work ethics, commitment to match preparation, game awareness and tactics in the English conditions will be invaluable. He is a role model to a number of current players and is hugely respected. I have no doubt that the squad will benefit from the immense value that he will bring, both on and off the field.”
Former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 185 wickets in 52 Tests for Pakistan, will also be mentor of the side. He has guided both England and the West Indies in the past as spin-bowling coach.
“Mushtaq knows the English conditions as well as anyone, having spent a lot of time playing county cricket and working with the England cricket team,” said Wasim.
“Apart from guiding the spinners and playing a mentor’s role, Mushtaq can be helpful to Misbah in match planning and preparations. “It is crucial that the side understands the conditions that they will encounter in the upcoming series and so having the experience of the likes of Younis Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed to compliment head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and fast bowling coach Waqar Younis will be invaluable.”
“This particular tour provides me with an ideal opportunity where I can spend post-training time with the players to engage with them on batting techniques, bowler assessments, mental toughness exercises besides talking them through with scenario planning,” said Younis, who scored 810 runs in nine Tests against England.
–PTI

Press Trust of India