Mohsin Naqvi Umar Gul for Pakistan. Image Credits:AFP/X
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly put the Pakistan men’s cricket team batting coach Hanif Malik on notice. This comes after the PCB has allegedly posted an opening for a new batting coach for the Green Shirts. This comes after Pakistan was whitewashed 0-2 by Bangladesh in Bangladesh.
Hanif Malik is a former first-class cricketer who played for Pakistan’s Hyderabad province. He made 2059 runs in 77 FC matches, with 8 fifties and a best score of 90. He also played 39 List-A games, scoring 369 runs with the best score of 40, and made 80 runs in 11 T20 games. His domestic career began in 2000-01, and he chose to bid goodbye in 2010.
Pakistan suffers a 0-2 Test series loss to Bangladesh
Pakistan and Bangladesh had clashed in the first Test of the two-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. Bangladesh was asked to bat first and, thanks to a century by Najmul Hossain Shanto, scored 413 runs.
Pakistan replied with 286, with Azan Awais scoring a century on his Test debut. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240/9d and set Pakistan 268 to win. However, five wickets by Nahid Rana ensured Pakistan was bowled out for 163 runs, as Bangladesh won by 104 runs.
In the second Test in Sylhet, Litton Das’ century took Bangladesh to 278 runs. In response, Pakistan made 232 runs. Bangladesh went big in the second innings, scoring 390 runs with Mushfiqur Rahim making 137. Pakistan was given 437 runs to win the Test, but they only managed 358 runs and lost the game by 78 runs and the series 0-2.
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Pakistan's batting comes under the scanner
The Pakistan batting came under the scanner with their poor record in the second innings in the Bangladesh series. None of the Pakistani batters went past 200 runs in the series, with debutant Azan Awais scoring 152 and Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 181 runs. Captain Shan Masood made 103 runs in two Tests.
Pakistani batters were rattled by Bangladeshi pacers, while even Babar Azam, one of the best batters Pakistan has produced, struggled against Taijul Islam, the leading Bangladeshi spinner. All these shortcomings with the bat have led the Pakistan Cricket Board to take an extreme step.
PCB posts advertisement for a new Pakistan team batting coach
With the release of an official job advertisement on May 23, Saturday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially started the search for an "experienced and skilled" batting coach for its men's cricket team.
The advertisement stipulates that candidates must have at least five years of experience in a comparable job with elite cricket players, national, franchise, or international teams, as well as a minimum Level II cricket coaching accreditation.
“Furthermore, the candidates should have an excellent understanding of batting techniques, game analysis, and player development, along with proven experience in monitoring and evaluating systems and processes used at the international level to develop batting skills.
The PCB is also seeking individuals with experience in coaching athletes to international standards and strong planning, organizational, and management skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds,” the ad read as per the GeoSuperTV report.
The current batting coach, Hanif Malik, departed a few weeks prior; therefore, the role is only for the Pakistan men's white-ball team and will be vacant following their three-match home ODI series against Australia, which is set to end on June 4.
Jatin's Conclusion: Does Pakistan need a local or foreign coach for batting improvement?
The big thing will be whether the Pakistan Cricket Board opts for a local batting coach or an international, foreign coach. Pakistan has produced some of the best batters in international cricket and should reach out to the likes of Younis Khan or make someone like Azhar Ali, who had a great technique, work with the young Pakistani batters to deal with their shortcomings.
With the Pakistani team focusing now on the 2027 World Cup, it is clear that the PCB is going the youngster route, with several young batters getting chances for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. It will be imperative that Pakistan get their confidence back before embarking on bigger and tougher challenges.
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