PCB should hire a batting coach: Afridi

[Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa]

PCB should hire a batting coach: Afridi
Published: April 1, 2011

Pakistan World Cup captain Shahid Afridi rubs his eyes while speaking to the media outside his residence in Karachi on April 1, 2011. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI / LAHORE:
Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi on Friday said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should hire a coach to improve the batting performance of the team.

Talking to the media outside his residence in Karachi, he thanked the nation for supporting the team, saying that they would continue to perform well.

Blaming the batting for the defeat against India at Mohali, Afridi said the young players should be given chances in the future rather than senior players.

Regarding his plans for the West Indies tour, the skipper said he had been very busy due to the World Cup, so he needed some rest but would make a final decision in this regard in a few days.

About the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, Afridi said they had given a positive message to the world so people should remain hopeful.

A heroes welcome
The team arrived at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi early morning where a large number of fans were present to give them a heroes welcome.

Carrying banners, placards and national flags, people were excited to get a glimpse of the players who made them proud by giving some spectacular performances in the world cup.

However, the players were not allowed to come at the airport lounge due to security concerns and they were taken out of the airport from another terminal.

Meanwhile in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif received the Pakistani cricket team himself and praised their performance.

Addressing the media, he called the teams march to the semi-final extraordinary, despite having all odds against them.

Team manager Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ejaz Butt thanked the chief minister for the gesture.

http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/afridi-reuters-640x480.jpg

 

[Muhammad Tauseef A. Bajwa]

Yeh Dosti, hum naheen chorain gay

 

[adnan_swati]

lame excuse. its not prep class. they are playing in national team. one comes in national team after so many steps. coach can just polish them at this stage.

 

[Proudmuslim]

Pakistan does needs batting coach to help players like umer akmal, shafiq etc etc it will help the young players... i m surprise younis khan or misbah havn't yet called for retirement.

 

[Star Gazer]

I have always maintained that Afiridi does not have the understanding of cricket needed for a captain and a captain is not the lected leader he is the technical leader.
Unfortunatley he is again implying that the fault lies with batsmen alone and not with the stupid captaincy decisions. We need a new captain, with a thinking mind.
Love my team and that is why I am so pained to see them not playing up to their potential.

 

[Saboo]

Why didn't he ask for a coach before the event?

 

[Imranpak]

Problem is that our batsmen are technically fine but mentally weak so we perhaps need a psychologist. Whilst at it get a fielding coach in too because we can't catch a cold even in the north pole!

They could very well be performing during training sessions but repeatedly crumble when the real action begins due to the poor domestic structure where they're never put under pressure so the entire system needs replacing too. Take the game to rural Pakistan especially Khyber and Balochistan where there is much untapped talent.