Mushtaq Ahmed explains why Hardik Pandya could be very destructive in T10 Cricket

Ahmed
–
who
is
involved
with
Deccan
Gladiators
as
coach
in
the
Abu
Dhabi
T10
League
–
explained
why
all-rounders
are
among
the
most
valuable
players
in
the
shorter
formats.
In
support
of
his
opinion,
the
former
Pakistan
cricketer
said,
“In
such
short
formats,
Hardik
Pandya
can
be
a
very
dangerous
player,
even
someone
like
David
Wiese,
they
can
bat,
bowl
and
field.
These
are
players
who
can
be
match-winners.”

Andre
Russell
has
X-factor

The
Deccan
Gladiators
have
in
their
squad
one
of
the
most
destructive
batters
in
world
cricket
in
Andre
Russell
and
Ahmed
claimed
that
impact
players
like
him
need
as
much
time
as
possible
in
the
middle,
so
that
they
can
have
a
positive
effect
on
the
game.

“Andre
Russell
has
the
X-factor
and
you
have
to
send
him
in
early.
Last
year
also
I
made
him
open
the
batting,
and
this
time
also
I
had
a
word
with
him
and
told
him
that
he
has
all
the
freedom
to
do
what
he
needs
to.
In
T10
or
T20
cricket,
you
have
to
take
the
big
decisions
and
hope
that
the
plans
pay
off.
And
I
am
glad
that
so
far
our
decisions
have
worked
out
well,”
said
the
former
leg-spinner.

Sticking
to
basics
is
key

He
also
noted
that
one
of
the
most
important
factors
in
the
sport,
no
matter
the
format
is
sticking
to
your
basics.
“You
have
to
remember
your
basics
and
play
the
ball
according
to
merit.
When
you
start
thinking
of
the
result,
then
you
lose
focus
on
the
basics.
As
a
coach,
it
is
my
duty
to
tell
the
players
to
not
lose
their
shape
and
focus
and
keep
playing
cricketing
shots.”

He
further
added,
“Even
if
there
are
a
couple
of
dot
balls,
remember
a
couple
of
big
hits
or
a
good
couple
of
overs
and
you
are
back
in
the
game.”

How
to
counter
big
hitters
in
T10?

When
asked
about
how
to
counter
the
big-hitting
batters,
Ahmed
said,
“Wickets,
that’s
the
key
in
a
format
like
T10.
Tabraiz
Shamsi
and
Zahir
Khan
are
examples.
A
few
good
deliveries
will
add
pressure
and
keep
you
in
the
game
and
then
you
can
get
wickets.
Basically,
the
player’s
role
needs
to
be
very
clear.”

Ahmed,
who
believes
that
T10
is
the
toughest
format
due
to
the
lack
of
time,
said
“In
T10
there
is
no
time,
and
you
can’t
slow
down
at
all.”

What
are
Virat
Kohli’s
success
chances
in
T10?

Asked
if
the
dynamic
Indian
batter
Virat
Kohli
could
do
well
in
T10,
a
player
who
is
technically
correct
or
does
the
format
need
more
players
who
can
improvise
on
the
go?
Ahmed
explained,
“Both
types
of
players
can
succeed
in
T10
cricket.
An
example
is
Moeen
Ali,
who
plays
good
cricketing
shots.
The
roles
should
be
clear.
Nicholas
Pooran
hit
a
flurry
of
boundaries
and
then
brought
the
momentum
back.
The
most
important
thing
is
to
have
a
clear
idea
of
who
has
to
do
what.”

“This
is
a
game
of
temperament.
You’ve
got
to
see
as
a
coach
who
has
the
best
temperament.
Sometimes
you
need
someone
to
bide
their
time,
while
sometimes
you
need
players
like
Andre
Russell,
who
can
go
and
express
themselves.”

Speaking
about
tackling
the
most
dangerous
bowlers
like
Rashid
Khan,
the
Deccan
Gladiators’ coach
said,
“Don’t
play
the
bowler,
in
T10
or
T20
cricket,
you
have
to
play
the
ball
on
the
merit
and
not
the
bowler.
You’re
not
playing
Rashid,
you’re
facing
the
ball.
I
feel
the
batter
should
look
to
see
the
ball
and
then
hit
the
ball.”