Pakistan fail in Waqar coach bid

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has failed to secure the services of former pace-man Waqar Younis, as the bowling coach, for the forthcoming tour of India.

Waqar, a veteran of 373 wickets in Tests and 416 in ODIs, had been contacted by the Pakistan board last week, with the offer. However, only days after it looked all set that he would be joining the squad to India, the deal has broken off.

PCB chief, Shaharyar Khan said, “We wanted to take him to India, but he wanted a long-term contract so it could not be decided. We would still like Waqar as a bowling coach for the national academy on a long term basis.”

Waqar wanted a long-term contract, for he believes that it would be useless to work with the bowlers for such a short period of time. He said, “It would have been a great honour, but I think they never wanted me. There was no mention of the money when I talked to the PCB, but yes, I wanted a long-term contract because you need time to work on bowlers.”

Waqar added, “I never initiated the move of a bowling coach for the Pakistan cricket team. It was the PCB that started it all and when they decided they didn’t want me, they did not have the courtesy to telephone me and inform me of their decision.”

Pakistan will be touring India without some of their top pace-men, with Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul out due to injuries.