"You can see the potential in Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin" : Grant Flower

[Abdullah719]

LAHORE: After successful ODI and T20 campaigns, courtesy victories in Champions Trophy and in the Independence Cup, Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan are preparing to take on Sri Lanka in the UAE for a two-Test series, starting September 28.

PCB called 18 players for a camp at the National Academy Lahore to prepare for the Tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and batting coach Grant Flower believes the team is in good shape.

“It will be easy to train them as they are fit and are getting used to the conditions here,” Flower told The Express Tribune, adding batsmen worked on the basics on the first day.
He added that players have to acclimatise themselves for the UAE weather. “The conditions here in Lahore and in Dubai are similar, so it will be easy for us to train keeping the UAE conditions in mind.”

When asked if Pakistani batsmen need improvement in a specific area, Flower said: “There is no specific area I will be working on with them. We are working in general to make improve their shot-making.”

He continued: “I have just asked them to stay focused and determined. The more confident they are, the better. Their shots will reflect their confidence. There are a couple of practice matches here too, which will help them gear up for the Test series.”


‘Players happy with Sarfraz as captain’

Sarfraz will lead the Pakistan in his first-ever Test as captain after Misbahul Haq retired and Flower thinks players are comfortable with him at the helm.

“Players are happy with him during the camp which shows that the team will perform well under him,” said Flower.

Commenting on the replacements of Misbah and Younus Khan, he said: “They were the legends of Pakistan cricket. They have left a huge legacy, but the game moves on, and like other top teams, the top players have to be replaced at some point and that time is here for Pakistan.”

Flower then vested his trust in the likes of Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin, who he believes, if invest in, can deliver results.

“If you look at the current lot of young players training with us, you can see the potential in Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin. They are great in the longer format of the game, but it will take a long time for them to establish themselves to match the greatness of Misbah and Younus,” he said.


‘Stay humble and confident’

Flower moved on to lay down suggestions for the Pakistan team when they face Sri Lanka.

“If they stay humble and confident to face the upcoming challenge, and leave no chance for the opponent team then they can win the series,” said Flower.

Meanwhille, Flower said the batsmen will not face any stern challenge as far as the conditions in the UAE are concerned. “You will get to see a great deal of spin bowling and reverse swing. And the batsmen are used to the conditions in the UAE. It won’t be a problem for them to face the Sri Lankan bowlers.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1510728/sri-lanka-tests-pakistan-fit-raring-go-says-flower/

 

[Saj]

I have high hopes for Usman Salahuddin, he's a batsman who has gradually improved season by season.

He looks like a batsman with a good temperament and someone who can play long innings.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Wohooo finally someone recognizes the talent and ability of Haris and Usman.

Was getting really disappointed seeing people (who are watching cricket for years) push for Shehzad and Shafiq who are are at best good not world class.

 

[Plumb]

very excited to see Usman Salahuddin. Have watched a few clips of him and looks very stylish.

 

[mak36]

It's been too long since Haris last wore the Pakistan shirt. I can't wait to see him bat again.

Usman is another good prospect.

Both deserve a decent run in the team- this is a good series to break them in.

However, it looks as though only one of them will play sadly. Looks like Usman will have to wait.

 

[babajee]

Babar, Haris and Usman will be the rock of our batting lineup in test matches for many years to come. They need backing from the management through highs and lows before we start to see them emerge as truly world class.

Just need a test quality pace bowling all rounder and this will be one of the greatest Pakistani test teams ever insha'Allah

 

[Boi]

Well hopefully we see them both debut together rather than seeing one of Shehzad or Shan start.

 

[mak36]

Actually feeling rather optimistic about the post-MisYou era, but as mentioned by other posters there are two issues which need addressing:

1) Finding a seam bowling all-rounder- particularly important for tours in England, SA, Aus. etc.

2) Team selection- please don't pick the likes of Shan Masood and/or Shehzad.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Babar, Haris, Usman. Looking forward to it.

 

[Jabo]

Never heard of usman

Thought he was bowler

 

[Abdullah719]

Never heard of usman

Thought he was bowler

Never heard of the guy who was in the previous Pakistan Test squad and has almost 6000 FC runs with 19 centuries? Fourth highest run-scorer (843 runs) in QeA last year, averaging 70 with three hundreds......

 

[maxamax]

YK and Misbah were not that good as compared to previous batting guns. Misbah was too old to play good in difficult conditions while YK only used to cash dead tracks most of the times so replacing them wont be much of an issue.

 

[kingusama92]

Never heard of usman

Thought he was bowler

You're thinking of Usman Shinwari.

 

[maxamax]

Never heard of usman

Thought he was bowler

He played couple of balls in international cricket. Was much rated previously.

 

[mak36]

Babar, Haris, Usman. Looking forward to it.

I'm sure it won't have escaped your attention, that the posters who claim Babar will fail in tests are the same people who support Shehzad's inclusion. )

 

[mak36]

Never heard of the guy who was in the previous Pakistan Test squad and has almost 6000 FC runs with 19 centuries? Fourth highest run-scorer (843 runs) in QeA last year, averaging 70 with three hundreds......

Abdullah bhai on fire these days.

Question is, where have you got this new-found energy from?

 

[Ahson8]

Babar, Haris, Usman. Looking forward to it.

Lol don't get your hopes too high. We're probably gonna see:

Sami
Shan
Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Usman

according to reports

 

[mak36]

Lol don't get your hopes too high. We're probably gonna see:

Sami
Shan
Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Usman

according to reports

The reports i've read suggest Haris is more likely to play than Usman. The fact Haris is a leftie, adds a bowling option and has previous international experience all count in his favour.

Only time will tell...

 

[Abdullah719]

Abdullah bhai on fire these days.

Question is, where have you got this new-found energy from?

Sometimes I prefer to conserve energy.

Lol don't get your hopes too high. We're probably gonna see:

Sami
Shan
Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Usman

according to reports

That doesn't sound very promising.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Lol don't get your hopes too high. We're probably gonna see:

Sami
Shan
Azhar
Shafiq
Babar
Usman

according to reports

some tv anchors, journalists and ex-cricketers are surely up for it.
Then they cry why Pakistan get white washes in Aus and SA. Can't identify basic talent.

 

[babajee]

some tv anchors, journalists and ex-cricketers are surely up for it.
Then they cry why Pakistan get white washes in Aus and SA. Can't identify basic talent.

Shan Masood wouldn't even make an associate team

 

[msb314]

It's been too long since Haris last wore the Pakistan shirt. I can't wait to see him bat again.

Usman is another good prospect.

Both deserve a decent run in the team- this is a good series to break them in.

However, it looks as though only one of them will play sadly. Looks like Usman will have to wait.

Unless Shafiq is dropped - which he should be

 

[Usman]

I'd love to see:

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Baber Azam
Asad Shafiq
Haris Sohail
Usman Salahuddin
Sarfraz Ahmed
Mohammed Amir
Yasir Shah
Hassan Ali
Junaid Khan

Wonderful line-up. Please no Masood or Shehzad. I don't even think Junaid is in the squad. Before anyone does some Junaid bashing, I saw him in the Champions Trophy close up and finally the Junaid lf old was back.

 

[Hamza_]

[MENTION=758]Usman[/MENTION] your team is perfect!

Just remove Junaid

 

[kingusama92]

I'd love to see:

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Baber Azam
Asad Shafiq
Haris Sohail
Usman Salahuddin
Sarfraz Ahmed
Mohammed Amir
Yasir Shah
Hassan Ali
Junaid Khan

Wonderful line-up. Please no Masood or Shehzad. I don't even think Junaid is in the squad. Before anyone does some Junaid bashing, I saw him in the Champions Trophy close up and finally the Junaid lf old was back.

Good team minus Junaid.

Ideally, I would look to split Haris and Usman in the middle order. Don't want two inexperienced batsmen walking in together.

4) Usman Salahuddin
5) Asad Shafiq
6) Haris Sohail

Junaid Khan's domestic performances have been woeful. There are too many bowlers in front of him on merit to justify a spot.

 

[Canistani Hero]

It's been too long since Haris last wore the Pakistan shirt. I can't wait to see him bat again.

Usman is another good prospect.

Both deserve a decent run in the team- this is a good series to break them in.

However, it looks as though only one of them will play sadly. Looks like Usman will have to wait.

I would let Azhar open to accommodate both of them.


Azhar
Sami
Babar
Haris
Usman
Shafiq
Sarf
Yasir
Amir
Abbas
Asghar

 

[Usman]

[MENTION=758]Usman[/MENTION] your team is perfect!

Just remove Junaid

Good team minus Junaid.

Ideally, I would look to split Haris and Usman in the middle order. Don't want two inexperienced batsmen walking in together.

4) Usman Salahuddin
5) Asad Shafiq
6) Haris Sohail

Junaid Khan's domestic performances have been woeful. There are too many bowlers in front of him on merit to justify a spot.

All fair points. I just feel that the Junaid I saw in the Champions Trophy was different. There was a period after Amir's banning when Junaid was our strike bowler and he played really well. He then injured his knee and hasn't be the same since. The Champions Trophy however was the first time in a long time I really got excited about Junaid again. I know Wahab is in the squad but I'd take Junaid over Wahab in any format any day of the week.

I see the point of splitting Usman and Haris but I also think that it is unfair to push newcomers higher up the order in positions where other teams bat their best players. If Usman or Haris was at 4 ahead of Shafiq, that would mean they would bat a lot with Baber who himself is no pro in this format yet, so I don't think it would deal with the problem of splitting up inexperienced players. Shafiq has been in the team for a long time now and I think this is his opportunity to take charge of the middle order and set the standard. It is unfair both the debutant and Shafiq to expect a debutant to carry the middle order and Shafiq to do be doing a rescue job lower down.

 

[imranyounus]

prospect for this team look good.
sami azhar babar haris shafiq and usman that will b a great line up. but we must not aspect too much too early.
its good this new lineup will face SL and results will b good but against tougher side's we must show patience.

in one or 2 seasons it will as good as any other top team.

 

[cricketerB94]

Ideally, it should be:

Sami
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Shafiq
Usman
Sarfraz
Amir
Hasan
Yasir
Asghar (in UAE)

 

[Amjid Javed]

Both should get a long run in the side in middle order for quite a few series hopefully.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

May not be a popular opinion but I don't think Usman will amount to much. Unless he has improved his shot range he is an incredibly limtied player which is not what we need right now.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

May not be a popular opinion but I don't think Usman will amount to much. Unless he has improved his shot range he is an incredibly limtied player which is not what we need right now.

We will find other batsmen who can put runs on batting friendly wickets of UAE but investing in Usman is need of the hour because he is someone who can contribute us winning series in Aus and SA. Out of his 19 centuries only 2 are on batting and spinner friendly pitches of Karachi and rest 17 are in Punjab and elsewhere. Also he played for Lahore Blues where literally he used to be the only batsman for few seasons.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

We will find other batsmen who can put runs on batting friendly wickets of UAE but investing in Usman is need of the hour because he is someone who can contribute us winning series in Aus and SA. Out of his 19 centuries only 2 are on batting and spinner friendly pitches of Karachi and rest 17 are in Punjab and elsewhere. Also he played for Lahore Blues where literally he used to be the only batsman for few seasons.

We arent going to be winning a series in SA any time soon.

In Australia, the pitches become quite flat after you whether the initial storm of the new ball.

You need players that can take the game by the scruff of the neck. We saw how 'average' Azhar Ali's performance was in context given what Australia did.

We have the solid batsmen in the team right now, we need some more stroke players. Right now Sarfraz is the only player in the test team capable of taking the game away.

I hope Usman proves me wrong but i think he will be another player who does well but doesnt take us forward aka another Shafiq

 

[Leo23]

May not be a popular opinion but I don't think Usman will amount to much. Unless he has improved his shot range he is an incredibly limtied player which is not what we need right now.

he is unlikely to get games any way

shehzad
sami/masood
azhar
babar
shafiq
haris
sarfraz

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

he is unlikely to get games any way

shehzad
sami/masood
azhar
babar
shafiq
haris
sarfraz

cant get over the fact that they are gonna push Azhar to 3, destroys the balance of the team.

I hope you are right and haris gets the nod, but given the emphasis on fitness, i can see Usman getting it.

It really should be haris though, gives you a left-hander, another stroke maker and a decent bowling option as well

 

[Leo23]

cant get over the fact that they are gonna push Azhar to 3, destroys the balance of the team.

I hope you are right and haris gets the nod, but given the emphasis on fitness, i can see Usman getting it.

It really should be haris though, gives you a left-hander, another stroke maker and a decent bowling option as well

mickey has been vocal about haris's bowling capabilities. that might push him ahead of usman.

i am personally not a fan of usman. he is another tuk tuk who is not capable of playing dynamic knocks. he is probably going to be another version of shafiq.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

We arent going to be winning a series in SA any time soon.

In Australia, the pitches become quite flat after you whether the initial storm of the new ball.

You need players that can take the game by the scruff of the neck. We saw how 'average' Azhar Ali's performance was in context given what Australia did.

We have the solid batsmen in the team right now, we need some more stroke players. Right now Sarfraz is the only player in the test team capable of taking the game away.

I hope Usman proves me wrong but i think he will be another player who does well but doesnt take us forward aka another Shafiq

You are right and for that stroke-maker I would have someone like Talat or Yamin at no 6 in those countries. 3,4,5 should be Haris, Babar and Usman imv.

 

[Titan24]

Not going to be an easy series for Srilanka, though we dont have Misbah and Younis but, Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin are hopefully one of the good new things which will happen to test cricket around the world in recent times.

Usman Salahuddin is still just 26 years old with 19 centuries at an average of 47 under his belt, now that is when you say someone is fully prepared for test cricket. He just needs to perform now.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Grant Flower seriously needs the boot and someone more commanding and technical needs to be in the batting department. He has minted enough money from the past couple of years being in the setup.

 

[Markhor]

We arent going to be winning a series in SA any time soon.

In Australia, the pitches become quite flat after you whether the initial storm of the new ball.

You need players that can take the game by the scruff of the neck. We saw how 'average' Azhar Ali's performance was in context given what Australia did.

We have the solid batsmen in the team right now, we need some more stroke players. Right now Sarfraz is the only player in the test team capable of taking the game away.

I hope Usman proves me wrong but i think he will be another player who does well but doesnt take us forward aka another Shafiq

It wasn't our batting that cost us in Australia. The batsmen showed up for once - it was our utter failure to take 20 wickets in a Test.

You can't turn up in Australia expecting to succeed with English-style seamers like Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It wasn't our batting that cost us in Australia. The batsmen showed up for once - it was our utter failure to take 20 wickets in a Test.

You can't turn up in Australia expecting to succeed with English-style seamers like Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan.

agreed but that doesnt discount the fact our batting is too old fashioned for tests on flat decks

 

[Titan24]

I'd love to see:

Azhar Ali
Sami Aslam
Baber Azam
Asad Shafiq
Haris Sohail
Usman Salahuddin
Sarfraz Ahmed
Mohammed Amir
Yasir Shah
Hassan Ali
Junaid Khan

Wonderful line-up. Please no Masood or Shehzad. I don't even think Junaid is in the squad. Before anyone does some Junaid bashing, I saw him in the Champions Trophy close up and finally the Junaid lf old was back.

Yes I would also love to have Junaid in the test team i.e if he is fit.

 

[Titan24]

We arent going to be winning a series in SA any time soon.

In Australia, the pitches become quite flat after you whether the initial storm of the new ball.

You need players that can take the game by the scruff of the neck. We saw how 'average' Azhar Ali's performance was in context given what Australia did.

We have the solid batsmen in the team right now, we need some more stroke players. Right now Sarfraz is the only player in the test team capable of taking the game away.

I hope Usman proves me wrong but i think he will be another player who does well but doesnt take us forward aka another Shafiq

You can only have one or two stroke makers in test cricket at max rest are supposed to play the strokes when possible without pushing to hard to make strokes. We already have Sarfaraz, you cant play test cricket like T20 and have people playing at strike rates of 70, 80.

You need players who are technically equipped enough to give you a partnership of 50s or 100s in test cricket consistently.
I havent seen Maxwell or Butler doing any miracles in test cricket which are supposed to be pretty good stroke makers in ODIs.
Look at the way Westindies won that test match against England and the way Braithwate and Hope batted, it was not about their stroke making but proper batting and playing strokes whenever possible with low risk of losing wicket.
While I don’t mind having one more guy with Sarfaraz who is a stroke maker at 6.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

You can only have one or two stroke makers in test cricket at max rest are supposed to play the strokes when possible without pushing to hard to make strokes. We already have Sarfaraz, you cant play test cricket like T20 and have people playing at strike rates of 70, 80.

You need players who are technically equipped enough to give you a partnership of 50s or 100s in test cricket consistently.
I havent seen Maxwell or Butler doing any miracles in test cricket which are supposed to be pretty good stroke makers in ODIs.
Look at the way Westindies won that test match against England and the way Braithwate and Hope batted, it was not about their stroke making but proper batting and playing strokes whenever possible with low risk of losing wicket.
While I don’t mind having one more guy with Sarfaraz who is a stroke maker at 6.

you are confusing strikers with actual stroke makers

We as a lineup struggle to score at strike rate of 50. It works in the UAE but if we want to improve we have to get better in this regard

Doesnt mean you need a team of maxwells

players like Smirth, kohli, rahane , williamson arent ball strikers nor are they grinders like Azhar/Sami (thus far) or Asad. There is happy medium which we can not find

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

No idea about Usman, probably no good.

 

[Savak]

Interesting times ahead as Grant Flower plans to fill Younis-Misbah vacuum

Last week, Grant Flower signed a two-year extension as the batting coach of Pakistan that will take him through to the 2019 World Cup. The former Zimbabwean opener has been with Pakistan since May 2014 and following the high profile retirements of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, Flower is now faced with the opportunity of rebuilding the team's batting unit.

There's no dearth of natural flare in Pakistan and quite a few young batsmen have raised their hands in a bid to fill the big boots of the two stalwarts. The young Babar Azam has made a big impact already and lot is expected of him. There's the untested Usman Salahuddin, about who locals have been raving a lot. Although the likes of Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam have fallen behind, they still retain the possibility of bouncing back. The core of Pakistan's batting though is the experienced duo of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. In an interview with Cricbuzz, the 46-year-old discussed various batting options that Pakistan have at their disposal.

"These are very exciting times for Pakistan cricket. We have had a good run since June but we must not get ahead of ourselves. We have beaten Sri Lanka well and our game is heading in the right direction," Flower told. "Our batting department wasn't at its best during the Tests. We have quite a bit of cricket coming up, unfortunately not Test cricket. But things are on the up," he noted.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, who have been around since 2010 and have 110 Test appearances between them, will be expected to take more responsibility going forward in a team that is rebuilding.

"Azhar has had a really good career so far. He knows his game well. What to practice and when. Hopefully his knee problem will be sorted and he will be there for a long time because Pakistan cricket needs Azhar Ali. As for Asad Shafiq, he has got lot of centuries for us, but I still think that he has got quite more to offer."

Babar Azam is only 23 and having already scored eight hundreds in ODIs at the age of 23, people expect big things from him, and so does batting coach Flower. "Great talent and great work ethic he has got. He has super wrists and picks lengths very early. A very good eye obviously like most good players. He is humble with it. He is always learning by speaking to other people. He has got a very good future. Struggled a bit in Tests but in white ball cricket he has been brilliant. "

Apart from the two torchbearers, there are other prospects too who Pakistan would like to groom and get the best out of in the times to come. With a style similar to Mohammad Yousuf, middle-order batsman Usman Salahuddin was one of the brightest prospects to come through the Pakistan Under-19 side and with nearly 100 first class matches at an average of 47, he will be expected to prove his mettle at the top level. "He needs to be given a chance and bit of a run. There are few spots up for grabs. If you take the opening slots, no one has cemented a place there. It's quite exciting for players playing in the domestic league to put their hands up and show their performances and they might get a crack to playing for the country."

During the Test series against Sri Lanka, the one who impressed the most was Harris Sohail. The left-handed bat playing in his debut series looked comfortable against the spin duo of Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera - who took plenty of wickets in Sri Lanka's 2-0 series win.

"Harris will be the first to tell you that he is not the fittest person in the world and he is not a gym loving person," Flower said bluntly. "He is set to make a few sacrifices. He had an operation and he probably didn't need it at that time by all accounts. Things were going against him and then the rehab programme didn't work out well. He has missed a couple of years of cricket. But he is a batsman who picks length early, has lot of time and a graceful left-hander. If he stays fit, gets fitter and just increases his work ethic, he could be a good player for Pakistan."

Among others is Fawad Alam who smashed 168 against Sri Lanka on debut but since that series in 2009, he has never got a look in in the longer version of the game. At the age of 32, time is running out fast for him. "He is getting lot of runs. Very fit and has got a great attitude. He could easily be playing right now. It was just decided to give someone else a go. Probably been unlucky not to be tried a bit more. It goes with some of the selections in the past that had been inconsistent. Hopefully we have got a more consistent selection panel now."

The incorrigible Umar Akmal makes for an interesting case. Having gotten into trouble constantly throughout his career, is there a way back for him? "Not really my stuff to say. It has got more to do with PCB and Mickey Arthur, the Head Coach. Hell of a talent. Very good player. But he has let himself down with fitness side and made a few other poor decisions. Hopefully there is a way back for him," Flower hoped.

"Lot of prominent sportsmen and coaches say that you create your own luck. You have to make sacrifices in your life. How you are leading your life with discipline, fitness and diet. All these lead to mental toughness for professional sportsmen. There is bit of luck, but most of it you create yourself."

Flower was all praise for his skipper and feared if Sarfraz would burn out owing to his intensity and workload across all three forms of the game. However, the batting coach concedes that if the right balance is found, the skipper has a lot to offer in pulling up Pakistan cricket to where it originally belongs. "You can't get someone more passionate than Sarfraz. He lives and eats cricket. You can see that when he is off the field and you can see that when he on the field. I just hope he doesn't burn himself out - especially captaining the three formats and batting at a prominent position. He has got to find that balance."

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-new...an-misbah-ul-haq-vacuum-pakistan-cricket-news

 

[Markhor]

"Harris will be the first to tell you that he is not the fittest person in the world and he is not a gym loving person," Flower said bluntly. "He is set to make a few sacrifices. He had an operation and he probably didn't need it at that time by all accounts. Things were going against him and then the rehab programme didn't work out well. He has missed a couple of years of cricket. But he is a batsman who picks length early, has lot of time and a graceful left-hander. If he stays fit, gets fitter and just increases his work ethic, he could be a good player for Pakistan."

Bit worrying to hear that about Haris Sohail. His injury meant he couldn't feature in the ODI series vs Sri Lanka. He needs to work on fitness if he wants to score daddy hundreds on a consistent basis. Look at the way Younis Khan was easing to 150s and 200s well into his 30s.

 

[munirnadeem]

Yk played on 4th and 5th day spinning track

 

[KyoOne]

Very interesting interview.

Refreshing to see someone from the coaching panel praising Fawad Alam for a change. Definitely has one of the best attitudes and fitness going around.

Does Usman really play like Yousuf? God, miss his elegance so much!

 

[babajee]

Babar Azam
Haris Sohail
Usman Salahuddin

will be better than

Pujara
Kohli
Rahane