Pakistan coach Waqar Younis says the lack of home internationals is a major hurdle to his young team’s hopes for climbing up the international cricket ranking. Pakistan’s second-Test victory over West Indies on Tuesday secured a drawn series and had ensured they stayed in sixth position, one spot ahead of the Caribbean men. In the past year, Pakistan played “home” Test series against Australia in England and against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates while also facing away series against England, New Zealand and West Indies. Waqar admitted it was a difficult to predict a swift return for international tours to his country but was hopeful. Waqar also squashed rumors about a rift between him and Shahid Afridi, who was replaced as one-day captain for the Ireland series and had since withdrawn from the squad. “Misbah is a great character. I am not saying that Afridi is not because he’s done a really wonderful job in the last six to eight months he’s been captain,” Waqar said. He expressed, “I don’t have any problem with anyone. It is sad how things are being written and all the issues being printed. We want to improve cricket and this is what we get.”
