Mohsin Khan for full time Coach Author: Maaz; Views: 653; Date: 28-01-2012, 07:48;

The scale of the SERIES win is astounding and will take time to actually sink in. England came into this series having been undefeated in 9 test series in a row, winning 8 of them. They also came into the series with 6 test series wins in a row against teams like Australia, India and Sri Lanka and convincing margins in those series as well. A drawn series at 1-1 or even 0-0 was considered as a highly creditable result and a cause for jubilation from the perspective of the Pakistanis who were in a process of regaining their pride as a test unit.

But instead Team Misbah’s dependable warriors have sealed the series, gained sky rocketing acceptance from all corners and raised serious doubts over England’s number 1 test ranking after pulling off a remarkable win having lost the first innings by 70 runs and losing 4 wickets including their big fishes before having even reached parity with England. Pakistan kept fighting, inserting pressure and the English batsmen crumbled to a double figure score embarrassment.

Geoff Boycott even said yesterday that he was so confident that England would seal the win that he would be willing to put his house on it, but yet it was Pakistan which rose to the occasion and produced something out of the ordinary as Misbah ul Haq’s side won their 4^th successive test series and 4^th successive test match for the first time since 2003 although that came against weaker opposition, making the current success a remarkable storyline.

The spinners claimed 19 of the 20 wickets as Rehman claimed 8; Ajmal claimed 7 and Hafeez also chipping in with 4. Ajmal became the quickest spinner to 100 test wickets as well as the quickest Pakistani to the feat after getting the wicket of Prior caught at cover. Ajmal has got 10 of his 17 wickets in this series through an LBW and has been reaping the rewards of bowling wicket to wicket lines, attacking the stumps and benefiting from the DRS system. It was only a year ago when Ajmal was considered a mediocre and inconsistent test bowler, but he has come on considerably since the Caribbean tour with a dream run to establish his credentials as a feared, threatening, reliable, skilful and to a certain degree unmanageable world beater. Not to forget, the able support Rehman is providing with his nagging control, endless perseverance and subtle varieties as the workhorse of the attack bagged his 2^nd  test match MOM award under Misbah’s leadership.

Mohsin Hassan Khan has clearly been a motivational force as what was supposedly meant to be the job of a stock gap coach, who has injected self belief, mental toughness and a never say die attitude in his players ala Australia and would be a highly suitable candidate for the full time position. His passion, seriousness about the sport and genuine enthusiasm can be seen from his expressions. Mohsin also speaks impressively with the press and is a coach who really knows how to inspire his team even in less favourable situations when his side had to scrap by the skin of their teeth to get home where they have come back from behind in pleasantly surprising fashion. Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the low scoring LOI encounters against an improving Bangladesh are ideal illustrations.

I wouldn’t write off Pakistan completing the whitewash in Dubai when the 3^rd test commences on Friday as England search for a consolation win, but for now the series honours are decided and it will be Pakistan’s intellectual statesmen, Mr Consistent, the unstoppable stopper who will be lifting the Bank Alfalah Trophy in the early days of February regardless of the outcome, but knowing the nature of Misbah and Mohsin they will not put their foot off the pedal lightly even with the series sealed in historical style today as England made a meal of chasing 145 against the economical well complemented Pakistani spinners who ran through them in no time.