Twenty20 will make players better - Nazar

Dubai: Former Pakistan Test star Mudassar Nazar has been appointed as cricket's world academy coach.

From his position as coach at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy in Dubai, he has a unique view of the world game.

Nazar, who scored 6,767 runs and took 177 wickets from Tests and one-dayers, has served as Director of Pakistan's National Cricket Academy and Nairobi Cricket Academy as well as coaching the UAE team.

In an interview to Gulf News he talked about the challenges of modern day coaching and the changing trends within the game.

GULF NEWS: Has being an allrounder helped you in coaching?

MUDASSAR NAZAR: Being an allrounder has helped me immensely. If I had been only a batsman then I would have missed out on bowling techniques. Being an allrounder has helped me look at coaching from various angles. To have a good overall knowledge of the game one has to be an allrounder.

In my career I have seen a lot of captain's struggle because of their knowledge about only one form of the game. That is why I consider allrounder Imran Khan as the greatest captain I have played under.

So do you feel happy that you spent a lot of time learning about bowling despite being an opening batsman?

Yes. With the introduction of biomechanics into coaching, if you don't understand the bowling action of a player or the drawback in a bowler's action, you may run the risk of causing huge injuries to bowlers.

You have corrected a lot of bowlers in Pakistan who had illegal actions. Why was Pakistan producing a lot of chuckers?

In Pakistan there was no restricted coaching. Only recently we developed programmes to coach the coaches. We implemented a plan by which we train the coaches first before they go into the field and start coaching. We also introduced them to biomechanics too by which they can understand the defects in a bowling action. This is going to provide huge dividends in about two years in Pakistan.

Will the Twenty20 form of the game affect the techniques of the players?

It will test everybody's techniques because they will be playing Twenty20 one day and the next day they may be playing Test cricket and another day the 50-over matches. The players will have to adapt to the different conditions though in reality it is making them more exciting players. I wish I played Twenty20 cricket during my playing days then I would not have blocked many of the balls I did while batting.

Isn't there a danger of playing more unorthodox and risky shots?

Cricket has changed over the years. Test match has become quicker because most players play in One-dayers and Twenty20 forms of the game. Players have started to take more risks and has made cricket more exciting and has resulted in Test matches producing results. I don't think Twenty20 will harm the player but it will make them better cricketers.

Is Dubai the right place for the ICC Global Academy?

Dubai is a centrally located for all the cricketing nations. If I was asked for a choice I would have named Dubai. Moreover, I have a sentimental attachment towards Dubai as being the part of the cricket here for such a long time.

You have coached the UAE team. What exactly have they been lacking in them when compared with other nations?

There was no lack of enthusiasm here but we lacked facilities. Be it club, league or schools matches, the contests were keenly fought. Most of the talent came from the sub continent and if there was facilities I am sure they would have become much better cricketers.

How pleased are you with your contribution to Pakistan as a coach?

Time will tell about it. At the National Academy I touched on a lot of subjects that were considered taboo. The decision to coach the coaches itself is one such move. Today Pakistan cricket has reached out to rural areas to spot talent by setting up many academies and also moved into scientific coaching like elite nations. So being able to push Pakistan in the right direction is my greatest achievement.

With teams refusing to play in Pakistan due to security concerns, will the players suffer from shortage of international exposure? Will it also affect the standard of the game in Pakistan?

It is really unfortunate for Pakistan players. I am hoping that Dubai Sports City will play a huge part by staging some of their matches here. Pakistan cricket is in dire straits now because of this situation.

What is your advice to budding youngsters?

Take up the game wholeheartedly and play it with enthusiasm. It will give you everything what you need in life if you can succeed. Always play the game with a sense of enjoyment.

As a coach do you have a dream?

There is nothing more rewarding than a cricketer whom you coached many years ago earning a name as an outstanding player.

"Test match has become quicker because most players play in One-dayers and Twenty20 forms of the game. I don't think Twenty20 will harm the player."

Mudassar Nazar

ICC Global Cricket Academy coach