Pakistan’s win is “a boost for the entire country”: Mohsin Khan

Dubai : Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan says three-day emphatic win in first cricket Test against England was “a major boost to the nation” after a period marred by spot-fixing scandal. “There have been well documented and unwanted activities involving former Pakistani cricketers a couple of years ago which spoilt the name of Pakistan cricket and gave nation of Pakistan a bad name,” Mohsin told PakPassion.net. “Our aim was to turn that around, and provide a boost to the nation and fans of Pakistan cricket, and to show the world that there is more to Pakistan cricket than just negatives. Cricket is not just a game in Pakistan. It is way of life, it’s a passion and people adore cricket in Pakistan. So for that reason I feel the win was a gift for people of Pakistan. “Pakistan Cricket Board is working tirelessly to improve image of Pakistan cricket and to bring normality back. Likewise this group of players can play important role in improving image, by playing tough cricket, winning consistently and showing the world that Pakistani cricketers are among best in the world and that Pakistan is amongst best teams in the world.” Pakistan won by 10 wickets, skittling England out for 192 and 160. They picked up five wickets in first session of first day. Mohsin said that played “a decisive role. We were pleased when England decided to bat first as we knew there would be something in pitch for our bowlers, particularly in first hour due to moisture. Our plan was to create early pressure in first session, take full advantage of conditions, and that worked to our satisfaction. We had early grip on game and I told boys to not let that advantage go, maintain that pressure and not ease up at all. First session was ultimately pivotal in outcome of match.” England had few answers against off spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was Man of the Match for bagging 10 wickets. Mohsin dismissed questions raised in some quarters about his action. “I’m not worried about comments regarding Ajmal’s action and neither is Saeed. You do find some people in media who try to create a few unwanted things which should be kept away from cricket, but then again when we came to UAE there were questions from some of media directed to Misbah and myself about issues in 2010 in England. Our response was simple and was that we are just here to play good positive cricket and nothing more than that.” Second Test starts at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 25Dubai, Jan. 20 PPI: Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan says three-day emphatic win in first cricket Test against England was “a major boost to the nation” after a period marred by spot-fixing scandal.

“There have been well documented and unwanted activities involving former Pakistani cricketers a couple of years ago which spoilt the name of Pakistan cricket and gave nation of Pakistan a bad name,” Mohsin told PakPassion.net. “Our aim was to turn that around, and provide a boost to the nation and fans of Pakistan cricket, and to show the world that there is more to Pakistan cricket than just negatives. Cricket is not just a game in Pakistan. It is way of life, it’s a passion and people adore cricket in Pakistan. So for that reason I feel the win was a gift for people of Pakistan.

“Pakistan Cricket Board is working tirelessly to improve image of Pakistan cricket and to bring normality back. Likewise this group of players can play important role in improving image, by playing tough cricket, winning consistently and showing the world that Pakistani cricketers are among best in the world and that Pakistan is amongst best teams in the world.”

Pakistan won by 10 wickets, skittling England out for 192 and 160. They picked up five wickets in first session of first day. Mohsin said that played “a decisive role. We were pleased when England decided to bat first as we knew there would be something in pitch for our bowlers, particularly in first hour due to moisture. Our plan was to create early pressure in first session, take full advantage of conditions, and that worked to our satisfaction. We had early grip on game and I told boys to not let that advantage go, maintain that pressure and not ease up at all. First session was ultimately pivotal in outcome of match.”

England had few answers against off spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was Man of the Match for bagging 10 wickets. Mohsin dismissed questions raised in some quarters about his action. “I’m not worried about comments regarding Ajmal’s action and neither is Saeed. You do find some people in media who try to create a few unwanted things which should be kept away from cricket, but then again when we came to UAE there were questions from some of media directed to Misbah and myself about issues in 2010 in England. Our response was simple and was that we are just here to play good positive cricket and nothing more than that.”

Second Test starts at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 25. “Shortly after match finished Thursday we had a team meeting where we all discussed importance of not being complacent and maintaining our focus for second Test in Abu Dhabi,” Mohsin said.

“Shortly after match finished Thursday we had a team meeting where we all discussed importance of not being complacent and maintaining our focus for second Test in Abu Dhabi,” Mohsin said.