Faheem Ashraf “the potential to become the all-rounder we need,” says Pakistan hitting coach
On a bad day for Pakistan’s batsmen at Mount Maunganui, the two bright spots were Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf, who reached 71 and 91 respectively, and added 107 for the seventh wicket, to help their team avoid moving on. Hitting coach Younis Khan was understandably unhappy, noting that hitters were not sticking to a “simple plan” to build partnerships, and asked them to learn from Kane Williamson, the opposition captain.
“It was a simple plan to take the time and shift to the next gear accordingly, but we lost back-to-back ground and didn’t get the momentum we wanted,” Khan said after the third day of play, which ended with New Zealand. 192 ahead after the first inning exchanges. “In the end we had that partnership around 100+ runs, but then a good fielding from New Zealand broke the momentum. [Rizwan was dismissed] And we were back where we started
“I think as a young unit we have to learn that it’s about partnerships. Sometimes you also learn from the opposition, the way New Zealand bounced back after losing two wickets on the first day and how the captain took responsibility and anchored. two for three partnerships. That’s where we lost it. “
After New Zealand scored 431, Pakistan slid quickly to 80 of 6. All 100 of the innings came from 394 balls, the seventh slowest since 2002 for games for which ESPNcricinfo has ball-for-ball data. Rizwan and Ashraf raised the team after that, but New Zealand still has the upper hand.
“At the moment, it seems that we are a little behind, but on the last day the situation will dictate what our plan will be (save the game or go for the victory),” Khan said. “The field is a bit slow, so if they want to win this event they have to make some brave decisions. Williamson is not a new captain. He is very experienced and has an experienced team, so we are waiting for an early statement (on the day four) and we’re ready for that. I hope some of our best orders can score some runs and win form for the next Test Match. “
However, for the ongoing game, Pakistan has Rizwan and Ashraf to thank for keeping them on the hunt.
Rizwan, who leads Pakistan in the absence of Babar Azam, reminded him of himself, Khan said, especially when it came to the 28-year-old overcoming the initial struggles of his career to recover: “When I see it, I see it, like me, fighting first and then gathering to find my game. It’s not just about this test match … even in the T20 series, when he was fighting in the first two games, it was like I was fighting, and then I got a I know my game and I have to change a bit accordingly.
“So my advice was very simple for him to play his natural game. Just go and spend some time on the field and things will suddenly start coming to you. He did it in the third T20 and has taken his form in the series of tests. He knows his role, his strengths and weaknesses. He is also a captain and with the races he is leading from the front. “
As for Ashraf, he continued to give Pakistan hope of having a true fast bowling all-rounder, his 91st in over three hours after he returned 1 of 40 in 19 overs. He made his tryouts debut in May 2018, but was eliminated after four tests when then-head coach Mickey Arthur expressed doubts about Ashraf’s role: “We tried to develop Ashraf, even though his hitting hasn’t reached the level it should be. “. He’s back now, and he’s been strong too.
“We need players like Faheem Ashraf, because you can’t play in the subcontinent all the time,” Khan said. “It’s not just me, but other coaches, especially Waqar Younis, who was very interested in giving him more chances in test cricket. He offers us something that we have been missing since Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood (retired). Batting is about of patience. And he’s getting better with each passing day, and he has all the potential in him to become the all-rounder we need. “
Umar Farooq is a correspondent for ESPNcricinfo in Pakistan
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