Cricket: Former players term Waqar’s stint successful
Former team manager Intikhab Alam, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committee formed to find Waqar’s replacement, has given a thumbs-up to the former fast-bowler’s performance and termed his tenure a successful one.
Former chief selector Abdul Qadir hoped Waqar could serve Pakistan cricket in the future while former captain Aamir Sohail believed that controversies came in his way to do better.
Waqar, who took over as head coach in March 2010 after Pakistan’s win-less Australia tour, announced before that he would quit the post after the Zimbabwe series citing health reasons.
During his 18-month stint, his first as head coach, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, won a Test and One-Day International series against hosts New Zealand, clinched the ODI series against West Indies and Ireland before whitewashing Zimbabwe.
However, Waqar’s term was filled with controversies, first by the spot-fixing scandal in England before reports of rifts between him and former captain Shahid Afridi resulted in the retirement of the all-rounder. A heavy loss to England in the Test series also tarnished an otherwise impressive show by Pakistan.
Waqar’s exit to affect continuity: Alam
Alam, who was replaced by Waqar, felt the 39-year-old did a good job given the amount of young blood in the team.
“He did a good job,” Alam told The Express Tribune. “It’s a demanding job and Waqar handled it well.
“The team started showing progress and his exit will affect continuity.”
‘Lack of coaching experience may have created issues’
Meanwhile, Qadir said that Waqar’s lack of coaching experience may have raised issues linked to team management.
“I know Waqar as a sincere and hard working person,” said Qadir. “He has given huge services to Pakistan as a cricketer and coach.
“But I believe his issue with Afridi was just because of his lack of experience as coach,” said the former leg-spinner.
He could have done much better: Sohail
However, Sohail felt his time with the team could have been more fruitful. “His service as a coach was relatively better,” said Sohail. “But to me he failed as per expectations because he was a legendary cricketer.
“This may have happened because he was based abroad or issues within the team management hampered his performance.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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i totally agree with you hasan on waqar's legendary figure and also the childish behavior of afridi...
Gosh, did i ever love Waqar Younis. My hero throughout my child and adulthood. What a wonderful son of Pakistan. Its just utterly disappointing to hear people criticize him who never coached themselves. And as for Afridi, he sure thinks he is an Imran Khan, while he isnt anything closer to a legend. The public in Pakistan indeed favors Afridi, but again, Public is always majorly wrong so often in Pakistan. New millennium brought nothing else but havoc and awe in my dear country. Great people like waqar are hard to come by. Value the heroes while they live. Wish Waqar Younis the very best in life. I just can not comprehend why Afridi mentioned on the record that Waqar did not seem to have any health problems.... as if he is faking? lying? Such a shameful response. Then again, that only makes me wanna believe what Gautam Gambhir said, Afridi has mentality of a 16 year old. I reckon he is right.
It is Good time to appoint a foreign coach
Aslamualakum waqar was a good player but not a good coach because the coach has no right to make pressure on captain to selcet only those players which i want not those you want. Now it is time for afredi to come back into the time. kHUDA HAFIZ
Pakistan gave their out-going coach, Waqar Younis, a perfect farewell by winning the final match of the Tour as well. Tatenda Taibu sparkled to pull off a close win, but Pakistan again proved too good for the hosts.
I feel sad seeing Waqar Younus leaving the team. During his tenure the team gained strength to strength. But i feel sorry for the Ex-Cricketers who always criticized him even for the good things he did.
Waqar was an honest and dedicated individula, unfortunately Mr Shahid Afridi is our problem child, way too emotional and negatively hyper to be a leader.
With the resignation of Waqar and Afridi's comeback signals, it is evident that a player is larger than the game and its disciplines.
everyteam member was praising WAQAR except afridi; question; is there problem with afridi or waqar?. our former player like Moeen khan's analysis on channels does not reflect ground realities. common crictics; praise the person who done great job both as player and as coach-- it is not result that speaks!.