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Younis bats for longer run for younger players

January 20 2021 by Cricbuzz Staff
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The series against South Africa will be a first for Babar Azam as Test captain.
The series against South Africa will be a first for Babar Azam as Test captain.
Younis Khan, Pakistan's batting coach, hopes that the current set of players selected for the
upcoming series against South Africa are given a long rope. The former batsman believes
that apart from allowing the players to play without fear, it will also help the coaches to
adequately work with them.

Pakistan have dropped Mohammad Abbas, Shan Masood and Haris Sohail for the Test
series against South Africa after being whitewashed 2-0 in New Zealand, and have selected
nine uncapped players in the 20-member squad at the back of their performances in
domestic cricket.

Taking a leaf out of India's performance in the recently-concluded series win over Australia,
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 innings, went on to
win the series."

South Africa are touring Pakistan for the first time since 2007 and Younis believes the best
way to put the visitors under pressure would be to dominate from the first session of play.
However, he has admitted that not only is it because several players who perform well in
limited-overs are chosen in the Test side but also because several players are left confused
in choosing between attack and defence when their places in the side aren't assured. As a
result, Pakistan have not been able to reap the benefits of long-term investment in players.

"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," Younis said.

"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.

As a batting coach, Younis believes the area of focus for him will be to ensure that the
batsmen are able to concentrate for longer periods and also be able to cash in on the
scoring opportunities when they spend more time at the crease.
"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."

It will be the first Test series for Babar Azam as captain after having withdrawn ahead of the
New Zealand series due to an injury. Younis has stressed that even as Babar's inclusion will
be a boost for the team, the other players also need to put up match-winning performances
for the side.

"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. 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."

Ⓒ Cricbuzz

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