Former players helped improve my technique - Manzoor

Pakistan opening batsman Khurram Manzoor has said his improved footwork is the reason behind his success in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season, where he's currently the leading run-scorer with 562 runs at 112.40. Manzoor, who represents Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), said he felt his technique needed fine-tuning and therefore arranged sessions with former Pakistan players before the tournament began.

"I sat down with (former Pakistan batsman) Ijaz Ahmed and analysed my batting in great detail. We noticed a couple of areas that I needed to look at," Manzoor told Pakpassion.net. "The main one being that when playing the cover drive, there was a flaw in my footwork. I worked on this problem with Ijaz and I feel that now I am in much better control when playing the cover drive.

"Then when the training camp commenced with PIA, I continued to work on the technical issues with former Pakistan batsman Shoaib Mohammad, who really helped me at the camp."

Manzoor began the season with 241 against Khan Research Laboratories, scored 117 in the second game against Sui Southern Gas Corporation, made a half-century against Pakistan Customs and followed it up with 133 in the ongoing game against Karachi Whites.

"There seems to be a lot more grass on the wickets this season and the ball is definitely seaming around," Manzoor said. "Also, the cooler weather, especially in Punjab, is helping the seam bowlers. Today (the second day), we only scored 26 runs before lunch and survival was our aim out there. The Karachi Whites bowlers made life difficult for us, as the ball zipped around, with Tabish Khan who has been very impressive this season, bowling really well. Our plan was to survive till lunch and keep our wickets intact and look to score more freely after the morning session".

Manzoor is one of three specialist openers for the three-Test series in New Zealand starting next month. He said that he was working hard on occupying the crease, as part of his preparation for the Tests.

"I am trying to spend as much time at the wicket as possible. I feel it's really important to spend plenty of time in the middle as preparation for the Test series in New Zealand. I am really concentrating hard on my shot selection. I made a score of 241 earlier in the season and the innings lasted 13 and a half hours".