Waqar backs Sarfraz’s decision of batting first

Former head coach says English pacers bowled well, hosts favourite to win Test

Former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis is of the opinion that Sarfraz Ahmed’s decision to bat first at Leeds was correct, but unfortunately things did not pan out the way he expected.

The visitors were bowled out for just 174 in the second session of the opening day of the second Test against England.

But Waqar, while talking to Yahoo Sports, blamed the batsman and not the captain for team’s dismal show in the first innings.

“I don’t think that the decision to bat first was wrong,” said Waqar. “It’s just that the batsmen played a couple of poor shots and the English bowlers bowled exceedingly well.”

Waqar, who claimed 373 wickets in 87 Test matches, added that the nature of Test cricket is such that things can change quickly, but also believes that Pakistan will find it difficult to make a comeback in the match.

“This is Test cricket and things can change quickly despite Pakistan's comprehensive win at Lord's,” he said. “It was not a good day for Pakistan but they will be pleased to see the back of Cook on the stroke of stumps and hopefully they can build on that tomorrow.”

He continued: “It’s going to be difficult here at Leeds because conditions are not similar to Lord’s. Pakistan were surprisingly good in the previous Test match and the entire nation praised them but here things are different and they need to put in a lot of hard work to turn this around.”

Waqar, when asked who the favourite to win the Test was, said: “England have 80% chance of winning this Test match from here on.”