'Too Early To Judge Youngsters, Learning On Test Circuit Is Tough': Pakistan Batting Coach Smith

Too Early To Jud Youngsters: Pakistan Batting Coach Smith

Despite Pakistan's England tour going sideways, batting coach Michael Smith is backing the younger guns in the squad to improve with time. The message from the dressing room? Give these kids a chance and they'll come good.

The Situation

Pakistan's poor run with the willow continued as they reached 52/2 at stumps on Day 2, trailing by 268 in their second innings before rain washed out the rest of the day.

After heavy defeats in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord's, Pakistan shipped seven players home mid-tour—including WK Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam ul Haq, and T20 captain Salman Ali Agha. Of the top seven batting in this Birmingham Test, only Babar Azam and Shan Masood have England experience.

Smith's Take

"We've got a lot of quality in Pakistan. It's a transition phase," Smith told reporters. "The biggest lesson is we need some of our guys playing for hours, not just half a session. Saud Shakeel, Azan Awais and Shan have shown good signs—but we need that endurance in certain game plans."

He pointed to facing a strong home bowling unit as the challenge, but stayed optimistic about the long term: "If these players are back on our next UK tour, we'll see an upward trend. This is the time to really judge them—especially the youngsters getting their first taste of English conditions."

The Bottom Line

Learning on the Test circuit is tough, and Smith's right to be patient. But from a player-development standpoint, these young batters need repeated exposure to these conditions to build the temperament and technique that Test cricket demands.

Source: Cricketnmore