Former Pakistan captain and coach, Waqar Younis has backed the appointment of Australian Dav Whatmore as head coach of the national team. “I think the appointment of Whatmore is a good decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board. He has done wonders previously and did really well with Sri Lanka in 1996. Whatmore understands our culture too, he has a Sri Lankan background of course, yes I think he’s a good appointment and I hope he will do really well,” said Waqar. He said that the current group of Pakistani cricketers would be looking forward to working with Whatmore and putting in the required hard work. “Whatmore is a strict guy, he’s a tough man. He likes to work really hard and as I said earlier he has done well with other Asian countries. It won’t be an easy ride for the players with Whatmore in charge, but the boys in the squad at the moment are willing to learn and put in the hard work.
“The players have done well over the past year and a half and worked very hard with me when I was the coach. I’m pretty sure the players will be up for it and looking forward to having the opportunity to work with Whatmore,” Waqar told the Pakpassion.net website.
Waqar resigned from the position on personal grounds last August and was subsequently replaced on an interim basis by former Pakistan batsman Mohsin Khan. His last series as head coach was the tour of Zimbabwe. Waqar said he does not see himself taking on the role of a bowling coach with the Pakistan team.
“I left the role of head coach at the PCB due to personal reasons and I don’t see myself working as the bowling coach at this moment in time. No, I’m not really interested in the role at the moment,” he said.
Waqar was of the opinion that the decision of whoever gets the role of the bowling coach should be left to Whatmore.
“The PCB have got two guys in from overseas and I think it’s important that the Board should ask Whatmore on who he thinks should be appointed. At the end of the day, Whatmore has to work with the bowling coach and he is running the show, so it’s extremely important that Dav’s input is taken into account by the PCB.
“Whoever is brought in as the bowling coach should be on Whatmore’s recommendation,” said Waqar.
