Waqar Younis returns as Pakistan cricket coach

Pakistan cricket chiefs reappointed legend player Waqar Younis as a head coach of the Pakistan team. The 42-year old will take the place of Australian coach Dav Whatmore, whose contract was expired in March. Waqar, who has played 87 tests and 262 one day internationals, is one of the leading and fast bowler in the history of the Pakistan cricket and also the most dangerous bowler in the world. Younis led the team to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Twenty20 and 2011 World Cup before resigning in August 2011 for personal reasons, but later complained that being paid less for the job was one of his reasons for quitting the post.

“My mind-set will be to play positive cricket and play to win. There’s no defensive approach involved in it and hopefully boys will understand what I am trying to say,” Younis told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore. “There are problems even in a family, but a good coach is the one who negates all those problems and keeps all the players together. Last time it was my first experience as a head coach … I will try that if some mistakes were committed it won’t be repeated.”

The squad is currently led by 40-year-old captain Misbah-ul-Haq in both test matches and one-day internationals. The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to name a Twenty20 skipper after Mohammad Haffez’s decision to quit from captaincy after the world T20 held earlier this year. Younis said that while Pakistan needs to add youngsters to its squad, it must also look to experienced players like 7-foot-1 (2.16-m) fast bowler Mohammad Irfan for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Irfan has not played international cricket since injuring his hip last year.

“You have to blend seniors with youngsters and then there are some players who should be kept in cotton wool so that they don’t get injured and don’t have fitness problems,” he said. Pakistan will play two tests and three one-day internationals in Sri Lanka in July-August under the supervision and guidance of the head coach Waqar Younis. Then after this series they will play against Australia and New Zealand in UAE.