ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower has said that thepassion and love the Pakistan players have for cricket is the biggest thinghe will miss.
Flower’s comments come after his contract as Pakistan’s batting coach wasnot renewed.
In addition to their passion and love, Flower also noted that the playershave a natural flair when it comes to playing the sport. “It was such anice thing to see because they’ve got so much to gain by playing forPakistan and so much to lose by not playing. It’s such a big thing for themand their families,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
Grant Flower believes that batsman Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haqimproved the most during his time as Pakistan’s batting coach.
Azam has established himself as Pakistan’s most consistent batsman as hehad a superb World Cup campaign, where he scored 474 runs in eight matches,which included a century and three fifties, at an average of 67.71.
He has maintained his excellent form in the 2019 Vitality Blast, which isEngland’s domestic Twenty20 competition.
Azam, who is representing Somerset, has accumulated 434 runs in ninematches, which includes a hundred and three fifties, at an average of 62and a strike-rate of 152.81.
As for Imam, he accumulated 305 runs in eight matches at the World Cup,which included a century and a fifty, at an average of 38.12.
“Babar Azam’s the obvious one. But also Imam-ul-Haq, I think he’s reallyimproved,” Flower said.
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“You’re going to see a lot more of him because he’s very driven. As long ashe doesn’t get too far ahead of himself, I think he’s going to have areally good career.”
The 48-year-old also said that Babar Azam was the best Pakistan batsman hehad ever coached when asked about the middle-order batsman. “He’s probablythe best man I’ve ever coached — certainly the best Pakistani I’ve evercoached,” said Flower.
However, Fakhar Zaman’s future is uncertain in Flower’s eyes, he believesImam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam will continue to be in the top three.
“I’m not sure about Fakhar Zaman; he’s got to get his technique a bittighter, but the other two will definitely be there, no question aboutthat,” Flower said.
He also wished the Pakistani fans all the best for the future and askedthem to continue being supportive and passionate, Cricinfo reported.
“I just want to wish them all the best for the future and being supportiveand passionate, which they already are. And have faith. Have faith in theplayers and stick behind them. Look for the positives as opposed to thenegatives.”
When asked what he would miss most about living in Pakistan, Flower said:“The friendliness of the people.”
