LAHORE: Former Test wrist-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who is the spin bowling coach and team mentor for the England tour, has urged players to be a source of motivation for each other against England in the absence of the crowd to bring out best results.
As per details, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming series against England will be held without any fans at the stadium.
Mushtaq said, “This tour is being played under extraordinary circumstances,” the former leg-spinner is quoted as saying in a PCB press statement.
“There are no spectators, there are hardly any journalists either to analyze the teams or the game. Players need to inspire each other, back each other, and support each other to the hilt.”
Despite the unusual circumstances of the tour, Mushtaq said that the team management is content with how the preparations have gone so far.
“I am happy with the start we have made; we are getting accustomed to the environment and conditions and still have a long time to go before the start of the series,” he added.
Pakistani players are currently quarantining in a bio-secure environment at Worcester’s New Road Ground, where they have been preparing for the three-match Test series against England, which commences on 5 August.
During the quarantine period, the players are undergoing fitness training, net practice, fielding sessions and intra-squad matches under the supervision of a high-profile coaching staff led by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq.
Bowling coach Waqar Younis and batting coach Younis Khan are working hard on the players in their respective domains while the reins of spin bowling coaching are in the hands of Mushtaq.