Ahmed Shehzad has to re-examine his practice routines: Grant Flower

Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower feels that the Pakistani batsmen have the potential to achieve great heights but do not train as hard as other top players in the world. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Grant Flower spoke on his role with the team and how he feels the likes of Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed can improve. Talking about the batting collapse that has been a regular feature of the Pakistan side in limited overs, Flower said that the camps are never intensive enough. The players do not put up their 100 percent and certainly need to improve on this.

“If you go back to the preparation, in the camps they are not putting in all the effort that can get them to a certain level. A lot of camps end up curtailed. The camps are not long enough and intensive enough,” the former Zimbabwean batsman quoted.

Asked about the head injury to Ahmed Shehzad and the way it affected his game, the batting coach agreed to the fact that the injury disturbed Shehzad a great deal. He also added that being dropped from the squad for the Asia Cup saw Shehzad play fearlessly in the PSL.

“It takes a lot to get your confidence back. All he can do is practise hard against short balls to find the right balance. He was definitely affected [by the hit] and lost confidence. It can happen to anyone. He has to be honest with himself and find out how to play without fear again. When he was dropped from the Asia Cup squad, he was angry. He played without fear in the PSL as the pressure was off. He needs to do that in international cricket,” he quoted.

Stressing further on the fact, Grant Flower mentioned that Ahmed Shehzad, being one of the key batsmen, has to re-examine his practice and intent.

“He has to re-examine his practice routines and do more taxing drills that are more reflective of international standards,” he added.

Recently former Pakistan Coach Waqar Younis had quoted that in order to win his confidence back, Shehzad needs to spend time in the nets like Kohli does. Only then he could emulate Virat Kohli. Commenting on this, Grant Flower remarked that he need not copy Kohli but carve a niche of his own. “You can always learn from the greats, but I think it’s most important for him to find his own way. He admitted to me to the other day that he is trying. He can make things simpler for himself by getting his on-field stuff right through his lifestyle and making good decisions, getting the right preparation, getting the fitness drill right and his attitude,” said the Pakistan batting coach.

When asked about Sarfraz Ahmed and whether he should be promoted up the order, Flower stayed rather diplomatic and said it remains to be the decision of the skipper during the game. Although he did admit that Sarfraz is their most consistent batsman.

“Saf is one of our better batsman, the most consistent. I think he was padded up most of the time for batting higher during the World T20, but the captain decided others should go ahead of him, so that is not really my domain to comment on. I wasn’t asked for my views on the batting order.”

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