Will Waqar's call for consistency in Pakistan finally be heard?

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  • Waqar was disappointment that his secret report to the PCB was leaked.

    Waqar Younis was regarded as one of the most lethal bowlers of his era and there was never a dull moment when the ball was in his hand. He could bring the best batsmen to their knees with reverse swing deliveries that cut through the air ferociously.

    Even as Pakistan head coach, Waqar is equally ruthless and he still dismisses people with ease. Sport360 looks into the constant state of change in the Pakistani team and how Waqar’s World Cup report played a major part in a Pakistan Cricket Board rethink.

    Misbahul Haq and Shahid Afridi have bowed out of ODI cricket while Nasir Jamshed and Umar Akmal have been dropped from all formats for the tour of Bangladesh. Younis Khan has been rested for ODIs while Ahmed Shahzad has been selected for one T20 outing despite being Pakistan’s top run-scorer for T20 and ODI cricket in 2014. Shahzad and Akmal have been shown the door due to poor attitude, while Mohammad Irfan and Sohaib Maqsood have been ruled out due to injuries.

    “There is a new era in Pakistan as new blood has been inducted and I’m hopeful that these young guns would do well in years to come. The changes have been brought in and I am looking forward to next four or five years,” Waqar said on the new blood which includes rookie players Sami Aslam, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

    “I’ve always said that the talent is always there and it is about getting the opportunity at international level. Now these players have got the opportunity and hopefully they will play well.”

    When asked if he was happy with the PCB’s decision to oust Shahzad and Akmal after his report, Waqar noted his disappointment that the secret report was leaked, but confirmed that the PCB had acted on his suggestions.

    “The most important thing for Pakistan is to use players with the correct attitude. Players need to be fit, work on their fielding and if we don’t do that, we will fall behind other countries. It’s pleasing to see the PCB taking some measures for improvement,” he explained.

    Despite Shahzad’s century in his most recent Test innings, Waqar stressed that Pakistan must instead look to younger players as senior pros Misbah and Younis will be missing from the ODI format.

    “You have got to move on otherwise we would lose out in the race. In a few previous World Cups, we made the mistake of not including new players, so it is important we learn from this. As far as Misbah and Younis are concerned, they are great players for Pakistan and they will continue serving Pakistan in Test cricket,” he said.

    “Azhar Ali is a really smart captain and a humble person, so there will be a big difference on the team’s mentality. Sami Aslam and Babar Azam are both talented players so hopefully they will do well.”

    The former captain has been criticized back in Pakistan for his harsh attitude with the players and ex-players. Abdur Razzaq, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar have publicly said that Waqar has an agenda against senior players.

    To this accusation Waqar replies that he is not unfair on the team, just strict in his vision for the future.

    “I played for Pakistan and now I am trying to improve the team, whether people like it or not. I respect views of the people who remain in their limits while I’m not bothered about those who cross their limits,” he hit back.

    Waqar claims that the bowling until performed well in a major tournament with Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz particularly impressive.

    “Pakistan have always enjoyed a good pace battery. Fast-bowlers continue to emerge in Pakistan and all five who went with the team in World Cup were superb,” he complimented.

    In the recent past, Waqar had voiced his concern regarding the survival of Pakistan cricket with no international cricket back home and now he has urged PCB to improve what it can to make sure that when the international cricket does return, Pakistan is ready.

    “There is a need to invest in the U19 team, the ‘A’ team, domestic cricket and stadium infrastructure so that when international cricket returns we can capitalize on it,” the 43-year-old said.

    Waqar played 87 Test matches for Pakistan and picked up 373 wickets in his career which was marred by professional jealousy as Wasim Akram kept him on the sidelines despite being in fien form.

    He also bagged 416 wickets in just 262 ODI matches in a 15-year career.

    Bangladesh will be confident of winning at least the ODI series and on the evidence of their World Cup showing, Pakistan will not take their opponents lightly.

    “It’s going to be a tough series with Bangladesh because they have become a fine side. I don’t want to put pressure on younger players but they can certainly do their job well,” Waqar said.

    “You will see a lot of team spirit on the tour. Players need to understand that only 15 get selected from 190-200 million to wear the star on the kit. When the cross the rope they should give everything with no compromise.”

    Pakistan will welcome back ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal after an eight-month ban which forced him to miss the World Cup. Waqar appreciated the efforts Ajmal has gone to in proving many people wrong.

    “Ajmal is looking good from what I’ve seen so far. He hasn’t played a lot of cricket and we are taking him to Bangladesh to see where he stands right now and see no reason for him to not be successful,” he concluded.

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