Time for Pakistan to get runs, says Flower
CRICKET jobs do not get much tougher than Grant Flower’s.
On one hand the former Zimbabwe international could not hope to be working with more talented players.
On the other, it is hard to think of a group of batsmen more enigmatic than Pakistan’s. Flower has been with the team since July last year, becoming the latest batting coach asked to solve the ultimate riddle – Shahid Afridi.
New Zealand were comfortable and deserving winners over Pakistan in Saturday’s one-day game at Westpac Stadium.
But the most compelling moments of the match came from Afridi, who pumped his first ball through the covers for four and was dismissed 28 deliveries later for 67.
If Pakistan are to have any hope of beating the Black Caps in Napier tomorrow, or of giving the World Cup a shake, then Afridi will need to go massive.
Problem is, even the man who coaches him does not have a clue how the mercurial all-rounder might play.
‘‘Generally he’ll play as he wants to. A lot of coaches over the years have tried to give him some sort of advice,’’ Flower said.
History and reputation suggest Younis Khan should score runs for Pakistan over the next few weeks. But the one player they can actually rely on is captain Misbahul-Haq. Almost a specialist at reviving lost causes, Misbah was at it again on Saturday. While the rest of his team-mates – till Afridi wandered out at No 8 – departed, Misbah was the one holding things together.
Pakistan’s total of 210 was insufficient but a score in excess of 250 looked on the cards until Misbah was out softly for 58.
‘‘He is used to that role [of resuscitating an innings] but you need guys to bat around him.’’
Flower said Pakistan’s batsmen had to get themselves sorted soon.
They came to New Zealand having had no cricket for a month but losses to a President’s XI in two warmup matches, then the loss to New Zealand were not good enough. Players had to adjust to foreign conditions but Pakistan’s had had enough time, Flower said, and now needed to score runs.