Test great Younis Khan has been designated as Pakistan batting coach for the England tour, and he apparently can’t wait for his challenge to get underway. Pakistan’s cricket team left for England in the early hours on Sunday. A 20-player squad along with 11 support staff left for England, following the reports of at least 5 of their 10 players tested negative for Covid-19.
England will host Pakistan for the Test and T20I series in a specially arranged bio-secure environment to withstand the COVID-19 effect. After their arrival to Manchester, the squad will be transported to Worcestershire, where they will undergo testing. The visitors will then be isolated for 14 days, during which they will be allowed to train.
A day before Younis Khan departed along with the team to England, he sends out a message on Twitter, saying a new journey as batting coach begins. He also asked the fans to pray for their wellbeing in these testing times.
Younis Khan is the most successful Test batsman for Pakistan. He surpassed his mentor Javed Miandad to become the most run-scorer for the national team in the longest format. He scored 10,099 runs at over 52 in 118 Tests from 2000 to 2011, besides rising to the top spot as a Test batsman after his career-best 313-run knock against Sri Lanka.
The new journey with @TheRealPCB as a batting coach begins tomorrow as we look to depart for England. Keep us in your prayers during these testing times. pic.twitter.com/pBLE1uaT8g
— Younus Khan (@YounisK75) June 27, 2020
Pakistan will move to Derbyshire on July 13 to prepare for their 3-test and 3 T20I series against the home side in August-September.
English cricket board had earlier maintained that the series would go ahead as per schedule, but the players who have been tested positive will not be allowed to participate due to safety concerns.
Pakistan will visit England for a Test and T20I series, which will get underway from July 30 with the T20I series concluding in the first week of September.
The tour will mark a return for Pakistan cricket in the international arena after the brief hiatus due to the pandemic.
