Bringing a knife to a gunfight is one thing but brandishing one during a difference of batting opinion is quite another. That's what former Pakistan batting coach found out over breakfast one morning in Brisbane when Pakistan's Younis Khan held a knife to his throat.
“Younis Khan… quite tough to master,” Flower told Following on Cricket Podcast. “Obviously, a brilliant career. I remember one incident in Brisbane, during the Test, at breakfast, I tried to give him a bit of batting advice, not that my career was anywhere near his regarding stats, as he is the highest scorer in Pakistan Test cricket.
“But he didn’t take kindly to my advice and brought a knife to my throat, with Mickey Arthur sitting alongside, who had to intervene. Yeah, it’s been interesting. But that’s part of coaching. It makes it a hell of a journey, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am.”
Younis Khan went on to score a first-innings golden duck in Brisbane and 65 in the second, ending the tour in Sydney with 175*.
Grant Flower, who was brought on as the Pakistan batting coach in 2014, was let go from his role last year after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to renew the ex-Zimbabwe player's contract.
However, given the opener's prior comments to ESPNCricinfo about the 'backstabbing players' and politics with the PCB, it will likely not be an environment he will miss too much.
Following his layoff, Flower went south of the subcontinent to Sri Lanka where he is now part of their coaching staff while Younis Khan was appointed Pakistan's new batting coach.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jekesai Njikizana / Rizwan Tabassum
