‘Hurt’ Waqar Younis wants ‘forgiveness’ for WT20 debacle
LAHORE: Pakistan cricket head coach Waqar Younis Tuesday
begged forgiveness from the nation for the World Twenty20 debacle in
India and said he was prepared to resign for the serious mess in
Pakistan cricket. The 2009 champions have been widely blasted by fans
following a lacklustre performance with just one victory against lowly
ranked Bangladesh and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.
Skipper Shahid Afridi and his men were knocked out of the World Twenty20
at the group stage. Team Pakistan members were jeered on their return
this weekend by huge crowds at Lahore airport, who chanted “Shame!
Shame!”
Addressing a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium here, Waqar said: “I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation.” Waqar admitted that the team could not live up to the expectations and a lot of criticism was being made on the team, its captain, team management as well as the selection committee and there was a common thought to sack them. “If we do so would it help to correct the system,” he questioned. The head coach said the external cosmetic surgery would not serve any purpose and called for coming up with a solution of the current crisis to safeguard the interest of Pakistan cricket.
This is Waqar’s second stint as coach, after he had guided the side in 2010-11. He had parted ways with the team in 2011 due to a rift with captain Afridi. With Waqar and Misbahul Haq at the helm, Pakistan had climbed to No. 2 in the ICC Test Rankings, and are currently at No. 4. Their position in the limited-overs rankings, however, has been weak. They are currently ranked No. 8 among ODI sides and No. 7 in the T20I format. The side’s last win in a T20I series came in September 2015 against Zimbabwe, and they subsequently lost series to England and New Zealand in the lead-up to the Asia Cup and the World T20. The fast-bowling legend, whose contract is due to expire in May this year, added that he was prepared to stand down if it was in the team’s best interest, but stopped short of offering his resignation. “If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay,” he said. Waqar refrained from blaming individuals, and instead urged the PCB to address the deeper issues in the system. “But we need to dig deep to recognise and find heroes. We don’t need stars, we need heroes,” Waqar maintained.
The Pakistan squad included the likes of Ahmad Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik and skipper Shahid Afridi. The four players are the ‘stars’ in Pakistan’s current line up but it wasn’t clear who Waqar was pointing at in his statement amid rumours of factions within the team. “Pakistan cricket is facing numerous problems at present and many of those can’t be spoken about in public. If those problems are disclosed in front of the people, it will bring a bad name to Pakistan. It’ll be better to discuss it all in the PCB boardroom.” Waqar maintained that things were not right and everyone knew that. “We cannot close our eyes to it. We need to remove politics from cricket. I will try my best to present all the findings and suggestions to the probe committee. We are trying that the in-house problems should be solved inside. It is high time that we make things right.”
Sharjeel Khan was Pakistan’s highest run-scorer with 112 runs in 4 matches while Shehzad, who was recalled to the team at the last minute, scored up 108 runs in as many World T20 outings. Afridi and veteran all-rounder Malik scored less than 100 runs in 4 matches and failed to take responsibility when the side needed it. ‘Boom Boom’ was off colour with the ball as well as his side failed to make their presence felt at the world event. Waqar also echoed calls made last week for a revamp of the country’s domestic structure, and added that the malaise stemmed from Pakistan’s lack of home games since 2009 militant attacks on the Sri Lankan team. “When there is no cricket at home then the foundation will for sure become weak,” he said.
To a question, Waqar said the team performed badly and the element of grouping did not exist in it. “It is the duty of the PCB to determine and conclude who are responsible for the setback in India.” He was of the view that the fact finding committee of the PCB would unearth the truth which would determine who let the team down. “I will be putting up my recommendations with my honesty and we have to find a solution by looking into the matter.” Waqar has submitted his report of the tournament to the PCB chairman and it is learnt that the report covers a wide range of issues, from selection matters to the players’ capacities and the issues he has faced in last two years.
Addressing a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium here, Waqar said: “I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation.” Waqar admitted that the team could not live up to the expectations and a lot of criticism was being made on the team, its captain, team management as well as the selection committee and there was a common thought to sack them. “If we do so would it help to correct the system,” he questioned. The head coach said the external cosmetic surgery would not serve any purpose and called for coming up with a solution of the current crisis to safeguard the interest of Pakistan cricket.
This is Waqar’s second stint as coach, after he had guided the side in 2010-11. He had parted ways with the team in 2011 due to a rift with captain Afridi. With Waqar and Misbahul Haq at the helm, Pakistan had climbed to No. 2 in the ICC Test Rankings, and are currently at No. 4. Their position in the limited-overs rankings, however, has been weak. They are currently ranked No. 8 among ODI sides and No. 7 in the T20I format. The side’s last win in a T20I series came in September 2015 against Zimbabwe, and they subsequently lost series to England and New Zealand in the lead-up to the Asia Cup and the World T20. The fast-bowling legend, whose contract is due to expire in May this year, added that he was prepared to stand down if it was in the team’s best interest, but stopped short of offering his resignation. “If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay,” he said. Waqar refrained from blaming individuals, and instead urged the PCB to address the deeper issues in the system. “But we need to dig deep to recognise and find heroes. We don’t need stars, we need heroes,” Waqar maintained.
The Pakistan squad included the likes of Ahmad Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik and skipper Shahid Afridi. The four players are the ‘stars’ in Pakistan’s current line up but it wasn’t clear who Waqar was pointing at in his statement amid rumours of factions within the team. “Pakistan cricket is facing numerous problems at present and many of those can’t be spoken about in public. If those problems are disclosed in front of the people, it will bring a bad name to Pakistan. It’ll be better to discuss it all in the PCB boardroom.” Waqar maintained that things were not right and everyone knew that. “We cannot close our eyes to it. We need to remove politics from cricket. I will try my best to present all the findings and suggestions to the probe committee. We are trying that the in-house problems should be solved inside. It is high time that we make things right.”
Sharjeel Khan was Pakistan’s highest run-scorer with 112 runs in 4 matches while Shehzad, who was recalled to the team at the last minute, scored up 108 runs in as many World T20 outings. Afridi and veteran all-rounder Malik scored less than 100 runs in 4 matches and failed to take responsibility when the side needed it. ‘Boom Boom’ was off colour with the ball as well as his side failed to make their presence felt at the world event. Waqar also echoed calls made last week for a revamp of the country’s domestic structure, and added that the malaise stemmed from Pakistan’s lack of home games since 2009 militant attacks on the Sri Lankan team. “When there is no cricket at home then the foundation will for sure become weak,” he said.
To a question, Waqar said the team performed badly and the element of grouping did not exist in it. “It is the duty of the PCB to determine and conclude who are responsible for the setback in India.” He was of the view that the fact finding committee of the PCB would unearth the truth which would determine who let the team down. “I will be putting up my recommendations with my honesty and we have to find a solution by looking into the matter.” Waqar has submitted his report of the tournament to the PCB chairman and it is learnt that the report covers a wide range of issues, from selection matters to the players’ capacities and the issues he has faced in last two years.
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