Former head coach Mohsin Khan presided over one of Pakistan’s more successful periods in the Test arena in recent times before being replaced by current coach Dav Whatmore in February of this year. Khan was in charge as Pakistan whitewashed the then highest ranked side England in UAE, as well as defeating Sri Lanka at the same venue. 

 

Following recent remarks by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf regarding plans to appoint a batting coach, a psychologist and also to invite overseas fitness trainers to work with the players, Mohsin Khan shared his thoughts on the coaching situation for the Pakistan national team with PakPassion.net. 

 

Khan began by discussing the ongoing search for a batting coach “When Dav Whatmore took over, it was said by the PCB that the head coach will also be the batting coach, but they have now indicated a batting coach is also required. I don't understand the sudden change of plan but then again, the PCB has some intelligent minds amongst the people who will make that decision and I hope it works for them ”. 

 

As coach, Mohsin Khan did not have much in the way of backroom and support staff, whereas the situation as it stands currently could result in four or five different specialist coaches being appointed. Khan indicated this was excessive “There are already too many coaches. Once Dav Whatmore was signed, the PCB said we need a fielding coach, so they signed a fielding coach. Then they said we need a bowling coaching and they subsequently signed a bowling coach. Now they need a batting coach. With all the specialist coaches around I don't know what Dav Whatmore is required for. I feel batting guidance is required because there are some problems with our batsmen which seem to linger on, but I feel that the guidance should be coming from the head coach and not from a batting coach." 

 

With the batting coach appointment to be made in the near future, Mohsin Khan highlighted what he feels are the fundamental points the batting coach must address with the current group of Pakistani batsmen. “When you’re playing at international level, you need coaches who understand international cricket on and off the field and provide guidance.You don't teach a player how to bat at the national level and you don't teach a bowler how to bowl at the national level. Minor tweaks and improvements can be made to batsmen or bowlers at this level, but basically it’s the planning which matters, as far as the individual performance is concerned and the team performance is concerned." 

 

During his tenure as coach of the Pakistan side, the batting lineup, particularly the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, showed significant improvement, and began to look the part in the international arena. Mohsin suggested that increased mental toughness as opposed to technical changes was the key to this success. 

 

"I can say very happily and proudly that although we did not do wonders with the batting when I was in charge, the players were however improving day by day because they were trying to realize their responsibility. The one thing I was doing was ensuring batsmen understood their responsibilities, because you have to realize that you are playing for your country, whether as a batsmen or a bowler responsibility is the key to success. I personally feel a coach is there to make the players mentally tougher, rather than to overhaul their technique.” 

 

The PCB continue their search for a batting coach and will hope to finalise their shortlist to ensure the newly-appointed member of the coaching team will be in place to help with preparations for the India series due to take place in December of this year.

 

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