Pakistan’s highest run-getter in Tests, Younus Khan, believes head coach Waqar Younis should have been happy with his abrupt retirement from the ODIs.
“If I was the coach and Waqar retired like me, I would be happy that someone at least had the guts to take the decision to retire, when we don’t have this culture in Pakistan,” said Younus.
“So, I would think such a decision would make Waqar happy and I have no regrets over it.”
The 38-year-old also criticised Waqar’s policies as a coach and said that the players should be given confidence.
“There shouldn’t be an atmosphere of fear in the dressing room,” said Younus. “When the players are not made to feel secure about their position in the team, how can they perform for the country?”
“I think that person should be coach of the Pakistan team who can keep the players united,” said Younus, adding that one reason for Pakistan’s recent failures was the induction of too many young players and not allowing a combination to settle down.
The right-hand batsman further said that the cricketing world has started to take T20 cricket seriously and Pakistan doesn’t have an upper hand in the format anymore. “There are several teams now capable of beating us in this format,” he said.
He also seconded former captain Muhammad Yousuf’s statement that Pakistan needs a foreign coach to replace Waqar. He added that irrespective of his nationality, the new coach should be someone like Bob Woolmer.
Woolmer was the coach of the Pakistan team from 2004 to 2007 before he passed away during the World Cup in Jamaica.
