"Journey As Batting Coach Begins": Younis Khan On His First Challenge Against England

Test great Younis Khan has been appointed as Pakistan bating coach for the England tour, and he seemingly can’t wait for his challenge to get underway. Pakistan cricket team departed for England in the early hours on Sunday. A 20-player squad along with 11 support staffs left for England, following the reports of at least five of their 10 players tested negative for COVID-19.

England will host Pakistan for the Test and T20I series in a specially arranged bio-secure environment to withstand the COVID-19 effect. After their arrival to Manchester, the squad will be transported to Worcestershire where they will undergo testing. The visitors will then be isolated for 14 days, during which they will be allowed to train.

Younis Khan: New journey with Pakistan as batting coach begins

A day before Younis Khan departed along with the team to England, he send out a message on Twitter, saying new journey as batting coach begins. He also asked the fans to pray for their well being in these testing times.

Younis Khan is the most successful Test batsman for Pakistan. He surpassed his mentor Javed Miandad to become the most run scorer for the national team in the longest format. He scored 10,099 runs at over 52 in 118 Tests from 2000 to 2011. Besides rising to the summit spot as a Test batsman after his career-best 313-run knock against Sri Lanka.

“The new journey with @TheRealPCB as a batting coach begins tomorrow as we look to depart for England. Keep us in your prayers during these testing times,” Younis Khan tweeted.

The new journey with @TheRealPCB as a batting coach begins tomorrow as we look to depart for England. Keep us in your prayers during these testing times. pic.twitter.com/pBLE1uaT8g

— Younus Khan (@YounusK75) June 27, 2020

Pakistan will move to Derbyshire on July 13 to prepare for their three-test and three T20 international series against the home side in August-September.

English cricket board had earlier maintained that the series will go ahead as per scheduled but the players who have been tested positive will not be allowed to participate, due to safety concerns.

Pakistan will tour England for a Test and T20I series, which will get underway from July 30 with the T20I series concluding in the first week of September.

The tour will mark return for Pakistan cricket in international arena after the brief hiatus due to the pandemic.