Younis named Pakistan batting coach for England Test series

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan was named as batting coach for the upcoming tour of England on Tuesday as international cricket slowly returns after the coronavirus shutdown.

Younis, 42, is Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests with 10,099 runs in 118 matches in a career that stretched from 2000 to 2017.

Pakistan will also have the services of former spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as spin bowling coach to assist head coach Misbah-ul-Haq during the tour, where they are set to play three Tests and an equal number of Twenty20 internationals.

The national squad will likely kick off training in Lahore before departing for England in early July where they will be held in quarantine for two weeks.

Pakistan are set to play the first of three Tests in Manchester from August 5 while the remaining two Tests will be in Southampton (Aug.13-17 and 21-25).

The three Twenty20 internationals will all be played in Southampton on Aug.28, 30 and Sept.1.

International cricket, halted like other sports because of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally coming back to life with the West Indies arriving in England on Tuesday for a rescheduled, three-Test tour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the two appointments were made to help Misbah and bowling coach Waqar Younis.

“The appointments have been made to provide head coach Misbah and fast bowling coach Waqar the necessary and essential resources that can help them further uplift the performance of the side,” said the PCB in a statement.

Pakistan are currently seventh in the Test rankings but they have enjoyed strong tours in England in recent years, drawing 2-2 in 2016 and 1-1 in 2018.

“I am delighted that Younis has agreed to join the Pakistan cricket set-up and his work ethic, commitment to match preparation, game awareness and tactics in the English conditions will be invaluable,” said PCB chief executive Wasim Khan.

Younis said he plans to draw on his experience to help shepherd the team during the tour.

“We all know English conditions demand not only precise technique but patience and discipline, and if you can master these, then you will not only excel in England but anywhere in the world,” said Younis.

Agencies