Pakistan Batting Coach Mohammad Yousuf Talks About Important Factor For Players To Adapt Ahead Of Australia Test Series

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf said it is important for the national players to get in the groove before they take on Australia in the upcoming Test series at home. Australia is scheduled to play three Tests, as many ODIs and a solitary T20I match in Pakistan in the duration between March-April.

The Australian team’s visit will end their 24 years of absence from playing in Pakistan as the last the five-time World Cup winners toured the Asian nation was back in 1998.

Australia will be coming fresh from their 4-0 Ashes triumphant against England at home last month. On the other hand, Pakistan played their last Test against Bangladesh in their backyard in the two-match series, which they swept with a 2-0 margin.

It is important for us to spend 90 overs in the ground: Mohammad Yousuf

According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set up a training camp at National Stadium Karachi where players included in the Test squad were joined by Head Coach Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Yousuf. Players like opener Imam-ul-Haq and reserved player Yasir Shah were seen training in the camp.

Yousuf, who was recently appointed the batting coach for the Australia series, said the aim of the coaching department is to ensure that players are prepared for the Test series despite not playing any red-ball game for more than two months.

“After playing against Bangladesh, our players haven’t had any 4-day cricket. This is why it is important for us to spend 90 overs in the ground and batters spend more time on the pitch,” said Yousuf in a video published on PCB’s official YouTube channel. 

“Our aim was to reignite the session-by-session approach from players and for them to play according to the situation. So, when we actually play the Test match, we are not out of sync with the format,” he added. 

Australia tour of Pakistan to commence on March 4

Many of the national team players are yet to join the training camps as they are currently playing in the Pakistan Super League 2022. Pakistan and Australia will play the first of the three Tests on March 4 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Also Read: Australia Tour Of Pakistan 2022: Why Mohammad Abbas And Yasir Shah Are Named As Reserved Players And Not In Main Squad–Explained