Archer a ‘major threat’
Pakistan batting coach Younis says the England paceman is a ‘real mach-winner’.
Pakistan batting coach and former cricketing great Younis Khan singled out fast-rising paceman Jofra Archer as a “major threat” in his team’s forthcoming matches against England.
The Pakistan squad left yesterday for England, where they will play three Tests and as many Twenty20 internationals, starting in the first week of August.
Younis said 25-year-old Archer has made a reputation for himself since qualifying to play for England and going on to play a key role in last year’s Ashes and triumphant World Cup campaign.
“He (Archer) is a real match winner and a threat,” Younis said before the team’s departure.
“Archer has strong nerves which he proved while bowling a crucial super over in the World Cup final,” said Younis of England’s nail-biting win over New
Zealand at Lord’s last year.
“He has bite in his bowling and his high arm action is very good and gives him nip in his bowling,” he added.
But Younis – himself playing a key role in Pakistan’s 2-2 series draw in England in 2016 with a double hundred in the last Test at The Oval – said Barbados-born Archer can be countered.
“There is hype around him so that can put added pressure on him. I have told the batsmen to play close to the body and play on the back foot because his in-swinger can be very dangerous.”
Younis remembered playing Archer in Pakistan’s practice game against Sussex in 2016.
“I remember playing him in the side game,” said Younis of Archer’s debut first-class match. “He got five wickets in the match but was not on top of his bowling at the time like he is now.”
Pakistan’s highest Test run scorer with 10,099, Younis said Pakistan should also be cautious of England’s most experienced bowlers – James Anderson and Stuart Broad. –