Yousuf wants Waqar replaced by foreign coach

Former captain believes Pakistan team needs someone like late Bob Woolmer who did a lot to improve our cricket mindset

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf believes the appointment of foreign coaches and support staff will help the Pakistan team improve.

“The team’s performances will only improve under a foreign coach and support staff,” said Yousuf.



Pakistan recently lost the ODI and T20I series against England in the UAE, and as a result slipped in the rankings in both formats.

“If the present scenario continues, Pakistan will go further down the rankings because next year you have to go to England and Australia for full series,” he added.

However, the former batting stalwart said that foreign coaches such as Dav Whatmore or Geoff Lawson, who were afraid to take tough decisions to save their jobs, should not be entertained again.



“Such coaches are not required,” said Yousuf. “You need an established coach; someone like the late Bob Woolmer who did a lot to improve our overall cricket mindset and team.”

Yousuf said current head coach Waqar Younis’ ego will not allow for change in the present scenario.

“No, I don’t think much will change. He has massive ego problems and personal likes and dislikes. He works on an agenda where he doesn’t want senior players in his side,” said Yousuf, a former teammate of Waqar.

“I don’t think he can change himself, so it is for the PCB to decide what they want to do. We all have a lot of respect and admiration for Waqar as a player but as a coach he has failed not once but twice. He has not learnt from the mistakes he made in his previous tenure.”



The 41-year-old also questioned the rapid changes made to the Pakistan limited over sides, saying that it had become somewhat of a joke.

“You don’t hand out debuts to 12 or 13 players in all three formats in just eight months despite having senior players who just need to be given more confidence by the team management and selectors,” said Yousuf. “I don’t understand what future Waqar talks about when he is wasting and discouraging available talent.”