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Waqar's omission did hurt in Nairobi Latest
All those responsible for keeping Waqar out from such the crucial semi final match against New Zealand in the ICC Knock Out tournament should be banned from being in the team ever again.That Moin needs nine batsmen in a 50 over match means he does not trust his main batsmen. Pakistan lost to New Zealand for one simple reason -preferring the inexperienced Arshad Khan over the experienced and seasoned Waqar Younis in the playing eleven.
How can they possibly think of leaving him out of playing eleven when he is the highest wicket taker of all bowlers in the One day Matches he has played this year? And in the test matches he has played this year he is the second behind Wasim Akram. Moin Khan, needs to start thinking beyond petty politics if he wants to be remembered as a good captain. What he is doing to Waqar can happen to him too.
The PCB should also take an impartial stance and find out why is Waqarbeing constantly ignored. If he was fit to lead Pakistan in the absence of Mointhen why was he suddenly ignored in Kenya? Enough is enough.
Waqar sick, might miss first game of the ICC opener
Waqar Younis, currently participating with the Pakistan team in the ICC knockout tournament in Kenya, will in the highest probability, miss the side's first game against Srilanka on Sunday. Waqar is down with a bout of indigestion, that he suffered after reaching Nairobi, and thus wasn't able to attend the nets, a day before the game.
Waqar does his part in Singapore
Although Pakistan failed to defend the Singer Cup in Singapore recently by bowing down to
South Africa in the final, the performance of Waqar Younis, both as a captain and the strike
bowler deserves alot of praise. Waqar was handed over the captaincy of a team that was devoid of experience with players like Waseem Akram, Moin Khan, Inzimam, Saqlain and Shoaib Akhter opting out due to various reasons ranging from fitness, country commitment and fatigue. To further add fuel to the fire, the team's main batsman Saeed Anwar missed the second game and was only half fit in the final. Pakistan's chances in the tournament appeared gloomy as Pakistan already had a pathetic record against South Africa in one dayers while Newzealand had a formidable one day side that had retained most of the players who played in the last world cup.
Contrary to expectations, Pakistan qualified for the final by defeating both Newzealand and South Africa in the league games. The credit for the victories goes immensely to Waqar. His captaincy was impeccable. In the rain-reduced 25 over game, his decision to open with the extravagant Imran Nazir and Afridi instead of Saeed Anwar, which drew criticism from a commentator, worked very well. Similarly, after a long time we saw Ijaz playing his true self. It was Waqar's decision to send Ijaz lower down the order where Ijaz was less likely to face the new ball, keeping in mind that it was his in-consistency with the new ball that caused his downfall. Waqar was encouraging towards Kabir Khan especially in the second game where despite being under pressure for bowling a lot of no balls in the first spell, Kabir bounced back well in the second spell.
Waqar's bowling figures in the 3 matches were 2/22 against Newzealand, 1/39 against South Africa in the league game and 1/28 in the final. The figures are an indication of the responsibility Waqar took being the main strike bowler. Gone are the days when Waqar would go all out for attack, giving away runs in abundance. Despite maintaining a very concise line and length, Waqar looked menacing with the new ball. He had South Africa at the ropes in the early overs of the final and had an easy chance against Jacques Kallis floored by the wicketkeeper. In the first two games, he came back effectively to seal the games in the last few overs with the match hanging evenly between the two teams.
Looking at the performance of Waqar, both as a captain and a player in Singapore, one must contend that those who say that Waqar has gone over the hill, have a lot of thinking to do.
Waqar to lead Pakistan in Singapore
Speedster Waqar Younis will lead Pakistan in the tri-nation tournament in Singapore, Chairman,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia said on Saturday. The tournament in which Newzealand
and South Africa are the other participating teams will be played from August 20 to 28.
All-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been named as vice-captain. This would not be the first time
that Waqar Younis will be leading Pakistan. He has earlier captained Pakistan to a brilliant victory
against Zimbabwe in a test match at Karachi. We wish Waqar all the best. (13th Aug)
Imran defends Waqar
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has fully supported Waqar Younis on the ball tampering row and believed
that the match referee John Reid had overstepped his jurisdiction by placing a one-match ban and fining
the fast bowler. Imran Khan had earlier been at the forefront in defending Waqar and Wasim in the Pakistan tour of
England in 1992 when (too) baseless allegations were levelled against the pair by British
tabloids to dis-credit them from the series winning performances.(11th August)
Sarfaraz helping Waqar in camp
Famous fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has been helping Waqar with some of the shortcomings that he has
developed in his bowling action in the national cricket camp currently in progress
at National Stadium Karachi. Sarfaraz, who is also the fast bowling coach of the camp, said that
speedster Waqar Younis was in good rhythm in the camp but added he was showing more
side-on style. "Waqar's shoulder drops while delivering the ball and that reduces his
speed," he added. He said he was trying hard on Waqar and other pace bowlers and
giving them tips and advises to improve their bowling through the help of videos. (8th August)
Waqar to play in Singapore
According to latest reports, The selection committee is all set to name Waqar on the team for the
Singapore tri-nation cup to be played by Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand. In the absence
of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhter, there is expected to be added burden on the shoulders of Waqar
in Singapore. Waqar is also expected to join the national training camp, currently in progress at
National Stadium Karachi, in the next few days. (7th Aug)
Cricket Board absolves Waqar
Ace pace bowler Waqar Younis, who was unjustly suspended for a match by ICC match referee John Reid
during the triangular series in Srilanka for alleged tampering with the ball, is all set to get a
reprieve from the Pakistan Cricket board (PCB).
Waqar was alleged to have scratched the ball with his nails in the match against South Africa and
was subsequently banned for the next match. Later chairman PCB, General Tauqir Zia ordered an investigation
into the affair. It has been learnt from PCB sources that the unnamed investigation committee didn’t
find enough substance to recommend any punishment against Waqar. PCB has already taken up the
matter with ICC for what it termed as biased and harsh attitude of John Reid towards Pakistan.(7th Aug)
Waqar to join camp later
Waqar hasn't yet joined the national cricket camp in progress at National Stadium Karachi for
the triangular tournament in Singapore. Waqar is currently on vacations in Australia. It is also
uncertain whether Waqar will play in the said tournament. (4th August)
