Waqar eyes World Cup preparation

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis wants team to get back to winning ways as they begin build-up to next year’s World Cup.

ABU DABHI: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis urged his team to get back to winning ways as they begin the build-up to next year’s World Cup.

Pakistan are currently playing a “home” series against South Africa in the UAE before they tour New Zealand in December — their last assignment before the 2011 World Cup kicks off in February.

“We haven’t won anything recently and after a chaotic England tour, things are becoming clearer, so if we win against South Africa and then on the New Zealand tour it will be a good build-up for the World Cup,” said Younis while hoping that the three players involved in the spot-fixing scandal would be available for the World Cup, starting in February.

Coach thinks beyond suspended trio

“I hope they’re available to play, but at this point of time we can only hope because they are three key players and it’s never easy to lose your key players.”

“Asif and Amir had been progressing very well but if they are not available we have replacements in mind and they will step in, like we have three good spinners who will come handy in the World Cup held in the sub-continent.”

While the selectors decided to include youngsters on the England tour, Younis said Pakistan will use a combination of youth and experience.

“We have a blend of youth and experience and with Younus Khan coming into the squad against South Africa we have a chance to blend the team and it’s always good to have experience backing up the youngsters.”

“We’re mindful of the preparations for the World Cup and the team is very much on course,” said Younis who was the captain when Pakistan crashed out in the first round of the World Cup in South Africa seven years ago.

Pakistan were also ousted in the first round of the last World Cup, held in the West Indies in 2007.

‘Khan capable of delivering’

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif also welcomed Khan’s return to the team and said the batsman was capable of performing under pressure.

“Khan is an experienced batsman and with a better environment in the Pakistan team now, he can surely return to his best,” said Latif, now Afghanistan’s head coach. “Things are much better in the team now and there is no race for captaincy.”

Latif added that while Khan’s return may have been delayed, it was time to look forward. “I can assure you Khan never tendered an apology but gave due respect to the Pakistan Cricket Board  Chairman Ijaz Butt.”

“It’s now history and we should now look forward to a better show from the team,” said the former captain.

Salahuddin Sallu

“I think the team should leave all the scandals that have haunted them behind. They should know that that their good performance in the UAE would serve as atonement.”

Abdul Qadir

“It is difficult to tell which one is a better side. South Africa have recently thrashed Zimbabwe. However, the weather, pitch and crowd would certainly favour Pakistan.”

Graeme Smith

“The confidence base is good, our batters got time in the middle [against Zimbabwe] and bowlers progressively got better. We’ve done all the hard work ahead of this series.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2010.