Zulfiqar Babar, Aizaz Cheema and Mohammad Sami appointed as mentors for Second XI sides

[MenInG]

The PCB has also brought in the concept of mentorship, which will see former Test cricketers – with heaps of first-class experience – groom up-and-coming cricketers in the Second XI sides.

We have given the role of mentor to three players namely Zulfiqar Babar, Aizaz Cheema and Mohammad Sami. We spoke to these guys and from the next season they will adopt a new career. They will play in the Second XI and mentor the players.”

 

[MenInG]

The theory is good but surely are these the best mentors we can find?

 

[Markhor]

No problem at all. Some Pakistan cricket fans think you can only be a good mentor if you're some ATG.

They're all seasoned campaigners with some international experience. Whatever they can pass on to the youngsters can be valuable - and they're in the Second XIs so not hogging a place in First XI.

 

[MMHS]

The theory is good but surely are these the best mentors we can find?

These players have one thing common - passion for the game. Zulfi made PAK team at official 35, but that guy kept himself motivated till that age and kept performing to knock selector's door. Sami, had a roller-coaster career since mid 2000s, still that guy has kept playing 12 months, across globe and Aizaz is one of the unfortunate guys - his optimum age for debut (23-25) crossed path with Ul Haq's 4 years Captaincy, but guy finally made it to PCT in his mid 30s, still playing in domestics .... these are far better mentors than guys like Inzamam Ul Haq, who after 19 years career with PAK, took almost entire PCT to ICL, within few months of retirement!!!!!!

 

[topspin]

No problem at all. Some Pakistan cricket fans think you can only be a good mentor if you're some ATG.

They're all seasoned campaigners with some international experience. Whatever they can pass on to the youngsters can be valuable - and they're in the Second XIs so not hogging a place in First XI.

I agree with your post - but my only issue is they're all bowlers, surely PCB could have thought this through to ensure at least one of them is a batsman?

 

[Syed1]

Good to see Zulfi Cobra still around

 

[Major]

Oh man. I feel gutted..

I dont know if anyone else also felt it but this means thats it for sami. Thats the end of his international career for good.
What a player he was and what he could had become. Such a beautiful action, great pace. The guy was able to generate good speeds even after being 35 plus..
I think he could had been atleast a t20 pick for leagues around the world.

This mentoring thing is very good. It gives many of the aged cricketers a chance to continue playing while also having a role

 

[Mirpur express]

Should’ve had a bating mentor in there too

 

[Markhor]

I agree with your post - but my only issue is they're all bowlers, surely PCB could have thought this through to ensure at least one of them is a batsman?

Zulfi is the batting mentor.

 

[saeed5646]

This is very good idea .The only issue is they all are bowler's. Should have selected few batsmen

 

[Majid Khan]

Should’ve had a bating mentor in there too

Don’t worry Hafeez is being line up for that role, although I reckon they might make him batting mentor of the national team directly and bring him on tours like the way Australia is using their batting legends Steve Waugh and Ponting in the current Ashes.

 

[MenInG]

Aizaz Cheema retiring it seems?

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Cheema singlehandedly reduced the entire Bangladesh team to tears.