Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan has said that the upcoming series against England would be a battle of experience and youth. “England is an experienced side and Pakistan team is full of youngsters but are learning and gaining strength,” said Mohsin, on the sidelines of the national team’s training camp that started here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
“We are trying to harmonise youth and experience so that the players get into rhythm before the series start later in the month,” said he. He further said that all the players are fit and would be ready for the series once the camp is over. On Junaid Khan and Umur Gul, he added that the pacers are used for short spells and it’s not necessary that bowling long spells make them unfit.
“The reliance will not be on just spinners, the fast bowlers will also play their part in the series and the pressure will be on the batsmen of both the teams as compared to bowlers. “We are not only strengthening the top order but also laying special emphasis on the lower order batting so there won’t be any crisis situation. The English team have a good combination of experienced players while the young Pakistan team is improving a lot physically, technically and mentally. My task is to develop them into a mentally strong unit who could give their best in pressure time. Here my experience would help them understand the rhetoric of tough times,” he maintained.
On coaching, Mohsin said he is available as long as the PCB required his services and he has no issues in working in any role given to him.
Mohsin remained interim coach of the team during the Pakistan’s series wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh since replacing Waqar Younis in October last year and this is now his third series as coach in continuity.
A three-member committee appointed by the PCB finalised its recommendations on Wednesday, but the new coach is not expected to be named until after the series against England, beginning January 17.
On his own fitness he said that he had a foot injury but now he is fine and working with the team.