Pakistan batting coach Hanif Malik, in an interview with ESPN, said the team’s batting problems are not rooted in a lack of talent, but in weak preparation, poor mental conditioning, and a system that does not give players enough time to develop.
Speaking after Hyderabad Kingsmen’s first PSL game, Malik made it clear that Pakistan’s players have the skill and physical ability, but struggle with decision-making under pressure.
Malik said the core issue lies in the system. According to him, players are not lacking technique, but consistency, structure, and mental strength. He explained that young players often impress early but fail to grow at the senior level due to distractions and the absence of proper preparation.
He also highlighted the lack of focus on character-building, game awareness, and mental toughness in Pakistan batting. “Talent helps identify a player, but success depends on character and process,” he said.
Malik revealed that he uses technology and data analysis to identify players’ weaknesses. However, he insisted that Pakistani cricketers are not behind the rest of the world in ability, but in preparation.
He pointed out that players move from one tournament to another without proper breaks to reflect and improve. Unlike other teams, Pakistan does not provide structured off-seasons for development, forcing players to prepare under pressure at the international level.
Malik stressed that batting success is heavily dependent on mental strength. He noted that even top batters succeed only about 30% of the time, making decision-making crucial. While technique can be improved quickly, execution under pressure requires time and belief.
He also criticized the practice of rushing players into international cricket. Malik said some players are promoted after just one strong Under-19 performance without completing their development. He compared it to asking a matriculation student to attempt a master’s-level exam.
The batting coach warned against overhyping young players, saying it creates unnecessary pressure and mental health challenges when expectations are not met.
Explaining why PSL performers often struggle at international level, Malik said the difference is pressure and scrutiny. Players, he said, become insecure about their place and start premeditating shots instead of reacting naturally.
Malik called for patience and long-term planning. He said it would take up to three years to see real results if Pakistan commits to a proper process, but added that the system lacks the patience to wait.
He identified the middle overs as Pakistan’s biggest weakness, saying the team needs batters who can handle overs 7–15 in T20s and 20–40 in ODIs. He added that teams like India and England perform better in this phase.
Malik concluded by urging a shift away from short-term thinking. He said Pakistan must stop focusing on individuals and instead build a system that develops players through a structured, long-term process.
