Waqar Younis urges PCB patron to play role to save Pakistan cricket

A day after details of Waqar Younis’s confidential report to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were leaked to the media, the head coach on Thursday urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to play role in saving Pakistan cricket.

Younis rang Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Pirzada at his office to apprise him about the factors behind Pakistan’s poor run in the ongoing global T20 tournament in India. He gave Pirzada his report over the team’s abject performance in last few months.

The 44-year-old told the minister about the ongoing politics in the selection committee, but refrained from answering the question related to Mohammad Hafeez’s injury.

He also clarified that the report did not contain anything about rifts or grouping within Pakistan team.

The minister assured to keep Waqar’s report confidential and arrange his meeting with PM Sharif.

Talking to a bevy of reporters at Pakistan Sports Complex, Pirzada termed the leakage of Younis’ report as an institutional failure. “I think leakage of the report is weakness of institutions. Principally speaking it should not have been revealed,” he said.

The minister laid emphasis on showing respect to the cricketers, who according to him happen to be the ambassadors of the country.

“They go to other countries and play for Pakistan, showing how much resolute as a nation we are. Hence, we should respect them and enjoy watching their game.”

The minister said new talent should also be encouraged and should be given space.

Earlier, Waqar Younis expressed anger on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan and Chief Organiser Najam Sethi as his confidential report got leaked to the media.

“Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan did not even bother to meet me. They have let me down. When I asked how the report got leaked, I faced humiliation only”, a fired-up Waqar said.