‘Zimbabwe tour great for upcoming assignments’

Experimentations to get best combination for World T20 will continue, reveals head coach Waqar.

KARACHI: Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has said that the tour of Zimbabwe will provide good preparation for the upcoming home series against England, which starts in October in the UAE.

The men in green will be playing two T20Is and three ODIs against Zimbabwe, with the selectors bringing in some new faces in the form of Imran Khan Jr and Aamer Yamin in the T20 format.

Zimbabwe became the first team in seven years to play in Pakistan recently and gave the hosts a run for their money, and Waqar understands that they will not be easy opponents. “England is an important tour for us but we can’t take Zimbabwe lightly,” said Waqar while speaking to reporters in Lahore. “The idea is to gain experience from the Zimbabwe tour because this unit will only get better with experience.”

Waqar also shed light on the exclusion of Anwar Ali from the T20 squad, informing the reporters that the all-rounder has a grade-1 groin injury and has therefore been rested. The former fast-bowler added that Anwar could not be risked considering the importance of the assignments ahead.

Waqar also stated that the team management and selectors would have a better idea of where the T20 side stands ahead of the World T20 after the tours of Zimbabwe and England. “The selectors have brought in new faces and will continue doing so in the England series as well,” he said. “Then they would name the top performers of domestic cricket to play against the England Lions. After these series we would be in a better position to know who our best 15-18 players are for the World T20.”

The coach also commented on Imran, the recently concluded National T20’s standout bowler. “Imran has looked really impressive. His variations make him a different option and you need such players in modern day cricket.”

Waqar also said that the trio of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt would have to play at least one complete domestic season before they can be assessed considering the long period that they didn’t play competitive cricket.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2015.

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