Waqar Younis has joined the ranks of Islamabad United as the team’s bowling coach and director cricket for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) third instalment, the franchise announced on Thursday.
Discussing the appointment, the team’s owner Ali Naqvi said: “I think that in Waqar we have found the ideal man for these roles.”
“Not only does he have years of coaching experience with the national team—both as a bowling coach and a head coach—he has also had a lot of his success with many of our current players, especially Misbah,” Naqvi added.
The team’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq said, “For any captain who is a batsman it is advantageous to have a coach who is a great bowler. Having worked with Waqar before, I think his appointment is a great one for Islamabad United, and one that will benefit our bowlers and our dressing room greatly.”
Echoing Misbah’s remarks, the former fast bowler said, “Misbah and I relied on and helped each other out in the lowest of times for Pakistan cricket. When I used to watch PSL, Islamabad United [already] seemed like a family to me and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
Further elaborating on his role, he said, “I have had discussions with Naqvi regarding being involved with Islamabad United’s efforts at the grass-root level. I believe that the core belief behind all the teams in the PSL is to improve the quality of cricket in Pakistan at every stage.”
It is crucial to note that Younis has previously held the position of Pakistan national team’s head coach from 2010 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2016; he has also had two stints as the bowling coach of the national team.
