**No need to worry about Pakistan’s cricket future - Anwar
*Wisden Cricinfo staff
June 7, 2004***
Saeed Anwar, the former Pakistan opening batsman, has said that there was no need to worry about Pakistan’s cricket future. In an interview that appeared in The Khaleej Times, he said, “Believe me there is no reason to be concerned about our cricket future. There is lot of batting talent and the most positive aspect is they are willing to learn and listen to you.”
Anwar, who is currently coaching a group of under-17 cricketers at the national academy in Lahore, was quoted as telling The News, “I am just working on their basics and trying to strengthen their mind and heart cricket-wise so that they can start thinking and playing as true professionals. I keep on telling them this is what differentiates an average batsman from a great batsman.”
While Anwar passed on pearls about batting, he also had time to speak about other things. “At the same time, I am trying to also inculcate into the boys the teachings of Islam and to make them realise that with cricket they also need to be good human beings and Muslims.”
The interaction had been success so far, said Anwar. “They have shown a lot of faith and trust in me. They listen to what I have to say and believe in it. What gives me more satisfaction is that in some practice games, I have seen some of my students applying the very things I tell them practically and it is working for them.”
btw, I think it'd be a good idea for both Imran Farhat and Taufeeq to spend some quality time under Anwar's supervision. it will be all the more beneficial to them since both of them are lefties.
Anwar knew the art of building an inning and despite being very flamboyant by nature became a very responsible batsman eventually. he should try to pass on that mindset to our new openers.
yes, it is a good idea for both Imran Farhat and Taufeeq to spend some quality time under Anwar's supervision. Even if their batting does nt improve, atleast they would end up being a better human and muslim, as Anwar said.
It's nice to hear that someone like Saeed Anwar is working on our future cricketers...
we've have always had a wide range of talent available to us, there never has been a worry, but it has only been a matter of molding that talent. Hopefully with guidence like his and other gr8 players, we shouldnt worry about the future.
and Yes you guys said that Taufeeq Umer and Imran Farhat should get some coaching from him, its true they should. especially Taufeeq as he is in the same shoes Saeed Anwar was in his days. They both have the tendency to go after the ball wide from them, which ends up giving a catch and Saeed was known for giving easy catches. But he fixed his problem, and I believe Taufeeq could learn from him.
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*Originally posted by a1kashur: *
I think Saeed Anwar knows a lot more about cricket and players than you "masters".
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saeed had a very weak technique himself....his biggest asset was his outstanding eye-hand-ball co-ordination which always kept him at the top of the game. Otherwise technically, he had some serious problems with his footwork. As a matter of fact, he did not have any footwork at all and he had always trouble against the seamers facing balls outside the off stump. One of his sweetest stroke was the cover drive and he always used to play that short without moving his feet.....but like I said before he had an outstanding eye-ball coordination which allowed him to continue his career for so long.
so I have no idea what will he teach to imran farhat or other young players in terms of teaching the basics............his temprament was also not that great. i am not sure if he ever scored a double century. all i am trying to say that if PCB really wants to focus on teaching the basic techniques to young players, please chose those players who used to play with correct technique in their playing days. And honestly we do not have many players available in Pakistan who can claim that. In my books, geoffery bycott, suni gavaskar, hanif mohammaed, mohindhar amarnath and greg chappel are some of those players who should be considered as role models when it comes to teaching the basics to young players. To make my point more clear, I would choose shoaib mohammed over saeed anwar to teach young players the basic technique, how to use the foot work and the art of staying at the wicket for a longer period of time.
Having siad all that, please dont take me wrong. i am a big fan of saeed anwar......he was an absloutle delight to watch when he was at his full swing. all i am trying to say that he was extremly talented but his basics were never correct from the first day...players like saeed anwar, azhar ud din and zaheer abass are so good to watch but probably not the best choice to coach the young players.