Players with right attitude will stay: Waqar

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan head coach, has said that players with the “right attitude will stay” in the side. Waqar was optimistic that the young Pakistan players would do well against an “improved” Bangladesh team.

After the 2015 World Cup, the Pakistan selectors named a new-look ODI squad led by Test regular Azhar Ali. “It’s a new era and with these new boys I am optimistic that they can serve Pakistan for long from here,” Waqar said. “Talent is there but it is all about opportunities, which they have and now I am hopeful that they will do well in the upcoming Bangladesh series.

“It’s a tough series. The way Bangladesh have improved recently they are a fine side and we can’t take them easy. I can’t built a big expectation because we have a young side, a lot of new comers and also I don’t want to put extra pressure on them but I believe they can do the job.”

Waqar had written to the PCB with strict recommendations after Pakistan crashed out in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. It is believed that board chairman Shaharyar Khan acted upon Waqar’s suggestions to drop both Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.

“I can’t share much from the report but yes in my report I have written my reservations to the PCB and I am glad that most of them were accepted and the PCB started taking initiative. Of course there is a dire need of an attitude – a right attitude towards many aspects of the game and if we don’t do it and don’t improve we will be left behind. We have seen the fielding in the World Cup and the fitness aspect so we have to do it and I don’t think Pakistan need any such player who does not have the right attitude.

“I always try to make the team better. Everyone has their own view but I appreciate criticism from people who do constructive criticism and I don’t care about the rest of them. All I want is that what is needed should be done. Whether someone likes it or not, it should be implemented.

“Whoever does well for Pakistan and plays with the right attitude will stay. It’s not like my recommendation in the report made the difference but the selectors did what they deemed best for the team. It’s not my team or your team it’s Pakistan’s team and we all want good results. What I can say is that in the upcoming series you will see a team spirit with new players.”

Saeed Ajmal, who had his bowling action cleared, is set to play for Pakistan after a gap of eight months. Waqar applauded Ajmal’s persistence for his return. “Saeed in the last eight months has showed character and his approach towards cricket has been very good,” Waqar said. “He deserves respect. Yes there is a difference between match and practice but he is experienced enough to come good. He is given the opportunity in all three formats and it is going to test where he stands. But he is a seasoned player and humble person and I am sure he will do good.”

With the absence of Misbah-ul-Haq, who has retired from limited-overs cricket, and Younis Khan, who has been rested, Waqar said everyone has to move on and that he has faith in the newcomers. “We have to have move on otherwise we will be run out. We have seen recently that we didn’t indulge our new players and suffered a lot. Players should be tested on and off and this should have been a regular practice. Younis and Misbah no doubt are great players and have done so much for Pakistan but moving forward we have Azhar Ali, who is a smart captain, humble person and will be a good option.”

The Pakistan ODI and T20 teams played a practice match under lights at Gaddafi Stadium on the penultimate day of their conditioning camp. Pakistan are set to depart for Bangladesh on Monday from Karachi for a series of three ODIs and a T20 followed by two Tests.