Will start from where we left off: Younis on working with Misbah

Pakistan batting great Younis Khan, who has been appointed as the national team’s batting coach for the upcoming tour of England, is excited about working with head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq.

While speaking during a teleconference, Younis said that his new partnership with Misbah will start from where they left off.

The duo brought the curtain down on their illustrious careers after Pakistan secured their first ever Test series win in the Caribbean, in 2017. Together the prolific pair scored 3,213 runs at an average of 68.36, the highest by any Pakistan pair in Test cricket.

“We will start our partnership from where we left off. We retired from cricket at the same time and on a winning note and would like to do something similar in the coaching department as well,” said Khan. “I would like to carry on Misbah’s coaching philosophy, as he has been working with them for the past one year, so that players are not left double-minded.”

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He also spoke about adopting the work ethics of former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, while working as the team’s batting coach.  

“My aim would be to work with players as a role model and a friend. Bob Woolmer was a great coach and I'll try to adopt his work ethics. Bob use to deal with players as per their nature and abilities. Bob made sure players like Yousuf and Afridi perform together,” he said.

Younis also advised against putting burden of expectations on Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam and constant comparisons with Indian skipper and star batsman Virat Kohli.   

“Comparison of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli is not a wise thing to do. Give some time to Babar for now and don't burden him with such expectations. Babar has already shown how to become a performer," he said.

Younis, 42, scored 10,099 runs at over 52 in 118 Tests from 2000 to 2017. This included a career-best 313 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2009.