UAE assistant coach Paul Franks is excited by promising pacer Yodhin Punja’s potential but has warned not to place too much pressure on the teenager as he begins to settle into life in the senior set-up.
The 16-year-old, who dazzled at U-19 level, was finally rewarded with his first senior call-up for their ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League games against Hong Kong this month.
It was no surprise given he had finished as the top wicket-taker in the U-19 ACC Premier League in Malaysia in August with 14 scalps.
– ICC: Srinivasan loses BCCI support as chairman
– Cricket Xtra: Nothing wrong with India wanting spin
– UAE: Skipper Raza hoping to learn from Oman draw
He had been in the reckoning for almost a year after grabbing headlines in December for being the youngest player of all the 30-manprovisional squads for the World Cup.
Despite not making the cut for the event in Australia and New Zealand, he continued to excel on the domestic circuit.
After some eye-catching performances, coach Aaqib Javed already rates Punja as “definitely one for the future” and former Nottinghamshire all-rounder Franks, who returns to the coaching set-up for one month, agreed but feels he still needs time to develop.
“He was somebody I was aware of this time last year,” said the 36-year-old.
“He was young last year and we have to be respectful that he’s still a baby now. We don’t need to rush him. He’s an exciting talent and a very good athlete considering his age. But we need to look after himsensibly and nurture him into adult cricket because that is where he is playing now.
“He’s been playing against his peers in different age groups and been very successful but now’s the time to start playing against men and that transition can be difficult.
Congratulations to #UAE #Cricket‘s Yodhin Punja who was awarded Best Bowler of the ACC U19 Premier Tournament! pic.twitter.com/jtQ0UyxzLQ
— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) September 4, 2015
“He’s got the talent to do it but we have to be careful how we immerse him into that and we don’t get carried away too soon with him. I know Aaqib’s done a lot with him by placing support systems around him and it’s certainly exciting timesfor the UAE.”
With more than 200 first-class appearances in England, Franks has faced some of the country’s best cricketers and believes coaches in England would be very excited by his talent.
“For his age, he’s very good. If he was in England, we would be very excited. If he was in any country, they would be very excited by what skills he’s got.
“But players develop at different speeds, he’s on a fast-track at the moment which is great but we haveto be patient with him and at times we have to look after him. I think if we can do that, he will become a very good cricketer.”
He added: “He doesn’t look like he’s 16 but now he has a chance to really establish himself in this team.”
Speaking of the squad, which is much changed with the one he worked with at the World Cup, he said: “If they want to become a professional unit, they have to move forward and eradicate as many mistakes as possible.”
