We need a batting coach: Yousuf

Karachi:

After their pathetic show in the Test series against Australia, Pakistan skipper Muhammad Yousuf has demanded a specialist batting coach for his side.

Pakistan put up a spineless show in the three-match series and suffered a humiliating whitewash.

They were in a good position to win the second Test in Sydney but their batsmen let them down as they failed to overhaul a modest 176-run target. They went on to lose the third and final Test by a huge 231 runs.

Yousuf his batsmen need a mentor and guide.

"We need a batting coach who can help, guide and motivate the players. Because it is our batting that is our biggest concern at the moment," he said.

Yousuf, though contended that his team had done better then the previous stronger Pakistan teams that had toured Australia.

"We gave a close fight to Australia and we were close to winning the second Test in Sydney. In the past stronger teams have come to Australia and lost," he told Express News Channel from Hobart.

The senior batsman, who has now lost four Tests and won just one since taking over as captain from Younus Khan, said he was confident of bouncing back in the one-day series.

"We need to learn from our mistakes and try to win the one-day series to give some joy and happiness to our people," Yousuf said.

Asked about his statements prior to the series that Pakistan had a better bowling line up compared to Australia and that the hosts were no longer the force they once were and were beatable, Yousuf maintained that Pakistan gave Australia a good fight.

The Pakistan skipper said the team missed senior batsman Younus in the Test series.

"I am sure now that he is coming for the one-day series. He will strengthen the batting line-up and bring some purpose to it," he said.

Yousuf said while he had no problems to people criticising team's performance, it should be constructive and help the team improve.