Pakistan batsmen bloom under Flower

Since January 2014, Pakistan's batting average is 43 in Tests, the best among all teams. Pakistan's batsmen have scored 30 Test hundreds, also more than any other team in this time span. In their last Test before this England series, against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Pakistan had their highest successful run chase.

These have been the features of Pakistan's batting over the past two years. Pakistan's defining feature might have been the batting collapse, and it returned with a vengeance in Abu Dhabi, but its frequency has reduced drastically. Their average score between 2012 and 2014 has risen by more than 50%.

In Pakistan, coaching is never fully understood and often has been a victim of subjective criticism. The force behind a player is rarely appreciated. But Grant Flower, Pakistan's batting coach who joined the set-up 18 months ago, has had an evident influence on the batsmen.

"At the start I wasn't sure what to expect and I was quite apprehensive," Flower said. "But it has become exciting and I get to work with some great players with great records."

"So far it's been a good record. We have made big scores recently and we were lucky to get away with a draw the other day. If there is any rocket science that I have done with that I am not aware of it. So it's the basics, they practice hard, hitting a lot of balls in the nets which gives them a lot of confidence, and the most important thing is fitness."

Pakistan have made a huge investment in fitness during this period with extensive summer camps, and performance and fitness-based contracts. "When you are fit you make better decision at times when you are under pressure, and that helps mental toughness for batting long periods of time.

"It's all about little sacrifices off the field. It's not just me, it's the fitness person Grant Luden, Brad Robinson the physio has done a good job, and then there is Waqar and Mushi [Mushtaq Ahmed]. The good thing is everyone offers something a bit different so it's not just a boring voice in the dressing room."

Pakistan, during the time of isolation from playing international cricket at home, have seen a generation of batsman growing up without playing at home. They only get a chance for development when they are picked up at national level. Flower hoped the advent of domestic T20 can help bring useful experience for the longer format.

"Cricket not being played in Pakistan is not really helping the country," Flower said. "I hope things are going to be more stable in the coming years and perhaps PSL happening next year will get the players a lot more experience, which can be really a plus for not only players but for the country.

"The national player playing for the country is almost technically ready. Most of the things are covered and in place. It's really uncommon that they are fundamentally wrong but a lot of fine-tuning is required.

"Everyone is always learning but a lot of cricket is played in the mind and the mental aspect can take precedence, not always technical. You have to encourage positive thoughts."

Flower said that senior players like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan being around eased the pressure, though there were some players such as Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal whose potential can also bring challenges.

"They have got flair and being a coach I want to enlarge it and explore it. As long as the basics are covered, you never want to take flair out of the players. They are exciting players, they think differently about the game and it would be boring if everyone in the world was the same.

"Having Misbah and Younis around takes a lot of pressure away from me. Most importantly they are role models and I respect them a lot. They are not only great players but also great human beings. But everyone has got a different personality.

"I think Ahmed and Umar are still finding out about their game but they are willing to learn and willing to listen and have a bright future for Pakistan. It can be challenging working with them, but after all they are very exciting at times and match-winners on a given day so you don't want to discard them.

"If players are scoring runs they know they will stay in the side, but no one has the divine right to play for their country."