Since January 2014 Pakistan's batting average is 43, the best among all teams. Pakistan's batsmen have scored 30 Test hundreds, also more than any other team in this timespan. In their last Test before this series,
against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, had their highest successful run chase.
against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, had their highest successful run chase.
These have been the features of Pakistan's batting over the past two years. Their second innings collapse on the final day in Abu Dhabi against England looked a rare instance. Pakistan's defining feature might be the batting collapse, and it returned with a vengeance in Abu Dhabi, but the frequency has gone down drastically with the average score between 2012 and 2014 having risen by more than 50 percent.
In Pakistan coaching is never fully understood and often has been a victim of subjective criticism. The force behind a player is rarely appreciated. But Grant Flower, Pakistan's batting coach, who joined the set-up 18 months ago, has had an evident influence on Pakistan batsmen.
"At the start I wasn't sure what to expect and I was quite apprehensive," he said. "But it has become exciting and I get to work with some great players with great records," Flower said.
"So far it's been a good record. We have made big scores recently and we were lucky to get away with a draw the other day. If there is any rocket science that I have done with that I am not aware of it. So it's the basics, they practice hard, hitting a lot of balls in the nets, which gives them a lot of confidence, and the most important thing is fitness."
Pakistan have made a huge investment on fitness in this period with extensive summers camps, and performance and fitness-based contracts. "When you are fit you make better decision at times when you are under pressure and that helps towards mental toughness for batting long periods of time," he said.
"It's all about little sacrifices off the field. It's not just me, it's the fitness person Grant Luden, Brad Robinson the physio has done a good job and then there is Waqar and Mushi. The good thing is everyone offers something a bit different so it's not just a boring voice in the dressing room."
Pakistan, during the time of isolation from playing international cricket at home, have seen a generation of batsman growing up without playing at home. They only got a chance for development when they are picked up at national level. Flower hopes the advent of domestic T20 can help bring useful experience for the longer format,
"Cricket not being played in Pakistan is not really helping the country," Flower said. "I hope things are going to be more stable in the coming years and perhaps PSL happening next year will get the players to get a lot more experience which can be really a plus for not only players but for the country.
"The national player is playing for the country player is almost technically ready. Most of the things are covered and in place in a batsman to touch the top level. It's really uncommon that they are fundamentally wrong but a lot of fine tuning is required.
"Everyone is always learning but a lot of cricket is played in the mind and mental aspect can take precedence, not always technical. You have to encourage positive thoughts.
Flower acknowledged that the senior players like Misbah and Younis Khan being around give him takes a lot of pressure though there are some players such as Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal whose exciting potential can also bring challenges.
"They have got flair and being a coach I want to enlarge it and explore it. As long as the basics are covered so you never want to take it flair out of the players. They are exciting players, they think differently about the game and it would be boring if everyone in the world was the same.
"Having Misbah and Younis around takes a lot of pressure away from me. Most importantly they are the role models and I respect them a lot. They are not only great players but great human beings. But everyone has got a different personality.
"I think Ahmed and Umar are still finding out about their game but they are willing to learn and willing to listen and have a bright future for Pakistan. It can be challenging working with them, but after all they are very exciting at times and match winners on a given day so you don't want to discard them.
"If players are scoring runs they know they will stay in the side but no one has the divine right to play for their country."
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