We need to develop youngsters - Waqar Younis

National cricket coach says team needs all-round players who can field well and physically fit

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis, while talking to Express News in an exclusive interview, said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to develop more young players in the coming years.

Pakistan lost to Australia in the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup and the national team coach believes batsmen and fielders are to blame for the failure.

"We need to make mature decision and stop being emotional," said Waqar.

"We need to develop youngsters and experiment in the upcoming series against Bangladesh. We need to select players who have all-round attributes and apart from being good batsmen or bowlers they should be exceptional fielders and physically fit."

He added that, "World Cup is a benchmark and after every premier event changed are meant to happen. In cricket, new people and new ideas always come."

When asked is he was happy with Pakistan team's bowling performance he said, "I am very happy with our bowlers. Despite losing Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan and Muhammad Irfan, youngsters like Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan stood up for the team. Shahid Afridi was not able to make a mark in the World Cup but he has been consistent for us in the past with his bowling."

He also commented on the Pakistan's defeat against India and said, "There are nerves involved in the Pakistan-India match and at one point the scale had tipped in our favour. But the batsmen failed to push the team past the finish line. Chasing 300 runs on the Adelaide pitch was not impossible."

When asked why youngsters were not given a chance in the final eleven he replied, "We can't write off senior players in important matches. But now is the time that we decide who we should rest and who should be sent to play domestic cricket to regain form."

Former Pakistan captain and swing maestro tipped Australia to be favourites in the 2015 World Cup final.

"Both teams are good. Advantage will be with Australia as it is their home ground and Melbourne Cricket Ground has a big outfield. If Brendon McCullum performs against Australia, he can cause trouble for the Kangaroos."

Regarding the appointment of the ODI captain he said he didn't have the final say in the matter.

"PCB has to decide who will be captain. I can only suggest some names and I have already sent my suggestions to the board but the final decision rests with them."

He concluded with a suggestion for the former Pakistani cricketers.

"We should bring our ex-cricketers to use and more importantly they should actively participate in assisting the team rather than just sitting on TV shows and criticising," he said.

"When Australia was ready to take on Pakistan, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne came in to help the Aussies. Likewise, our cricketing greats should step in the field and help Pakistani cricketers."