PakPassion.net recently caught up with former Pakistan cricketer and coach, Mohsin Khan for his thoughts on the conditions in the UAE, the Australian challenge and the significance of the series in terms of Pakistan's preparations for the ICC World Twenty20.

 by Nimra Ishtiaq (August 6th 2012)

The Pakistan team's next international assignment is the 'home' series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates, where the two teams will battle it out in three ODIs and three T20s to be played between August 28 and September 10. In order to counter the extreme summer heat, the ODI matches are scheduled to start at 6pm local time, while the T20s will begin at 8pm. 

PakPassion.net recently caught up with former Pakistan cricketer and coach, Mohsin Khan for his thoughts on the conditions in the UAE, the Australian challenge and the significance of the series in terms of Pakistan's preparations for the ICC World Twenty20.

The announcement of a series to be played in the searing summer heat in the UAE was initially met with a lot of cynicism from Australian players. The ACA in a statement has expressed its concerns about the extreme temperatures to be expected in the UAE. However over time, these fears have been allayed due to changes in match timings and the provision of extra facilities such as ice baths etc (as indicated by Dilawar Mani, CEO ECB) and the series is all set to go ahead. Regardless of the allowances made, many experts believe that heat will be a factor which could affect the outcome of the series. Mohsin Khan for his part recognizes the importance of weather conditions but feels that the professional approach to sports as exhibited by the Australian team could nullify the effect of heat and that playing in heat could, in actuality, help both teams as they prepare to play in the WC in Sri Lanka.


"The conditions won’t be easy for Australia, especially because of the high temperatures in the UAE during these months. However, they are going to play day-night matches which are an advantage. The evenings are generally better there in terms of the weather conditions. I must add that the Australians are committed to their profession and they are mentally and physically so tough that they manage to adjust themselves everywhere. They are true professionals and I think they will manage to cope with the conditions to a great extent. Their past record shows they adjust to the conditions rather quickly. There’s just one place where they struggle a little bit – and that’s England. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Australia is a tough opponent. Beating Australia will help Pakistan gain confidence ahead of the World Cup. The weather in Sri Lanka and the UAE are similar in the sense that both places are quite hot. But the climate of both the venues differs in terms of humidity – UAE has dry heat while Sri Lanka has a humid climate. Heat is the common factor though. So I think it’s good for Pakistan that they’re going to play a series in the UAE before the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka."

With the benefit of experience gained from coaching the national side and based on his close association with most of the players who have been selected to play the T20 games against Australia in UAE, Mohsin Khan also had this advice for the Pakistani Team.

“The pitches for ODIs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are normally pure batting wickets. We have a good team for ODIs and T20s – there are a couple of new players in the (T20) squad and I hope they will click without taking any added pressure. I’ve heard players like Imran Nazir saying that this is their last chance – I don’t think they should think like that. In fact, they should go in with a positive, confident approach and play according to the plan. 

It is very difficult to win without proper planning, be it Test cricket, ODI cricket or even T20 cricket. I’m sure the team management, including the captain, coach and manager will go there with a good plan and the boys will give their best. 

I always used to say to the boys that a good team proves itself on the ground. Australia is undoubtedly a tough opposition and I think they are the best fighters in the cricketing world. They don’t give up until the very last ball. Beating a mentally and physically strong team like Australia will give Pakistan a boost as well as good match practice ahead of the ICC World Twenty20. I have always believed that Australia is never an easy opposition. The Pakistan team will have to be on its toes and each player will have to play his role responsibly. If we go in with a positive and confident approach, I’m hopeful that the results will be in favour of Pakistan.

Again, I will emphasise on the need to have a solid game-plan. It is the most important thing whether you are batting or bowling. You have to assess the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. Instead of looking at the series as a whole, they should focus on one match at a time and I’m sure the team management will do exactly that.”

Whilst the composition of the T20 squad has had mixed reactions from experts, there is widespread unease over the selection of no less than 4 openers. Mohsin Khan also expressed his failure to understand the rationale behind this decision stating that “I could not really understand the logic behind selecting four opening batsmen for three matches. If you have recalled a player like Kamran Akmal, then obviously you are going to make him play – you’re not going to keep him out of the playing XI. I’m sure the team management will think hard before picking the playing XI. I hope the team management will make sure they give maximum number of matches of this series to the players who are possible starters for the World Cup.”

Mohammed Hafeez’s appointment as captain of the Pakistani T20 Squad for the series against Australia and later in the T20 World Cup hasn’t met with complete agreement by followers of the game. Indeed the 2 games he has played as captain haven’t inspired much confidence but Mohsin Khan is adamant that Hafeez is the right choice at this time and his hard work ethic will pay off in the final assessment.

“I wish Hafeez all the best. He is a talented cricketer and he works very hard. He captained the team well in Sri Lanka. I think the Pakistan Cricket Board has given him a good opportunity – they’ve handed the T20 captaincy to him till December 2012. I think Hafeez is a very good all-rounder and a crucial player for the team. When I was the coach, I used to tell him that batting should always be his top priority. He is a fine bowler and his fielding is good too. In batting, I think he will have to play with responsibility without taking any added pressure of captaincy. I don’t think captaincy is a problem for him. He has senior players and the coach on his side to help him if needed. I wish Mohammad Hafeez and the Pakistan team all the best for the series and the T20 World Cup.”