In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net Waqar Younis speaks about the importance of India and Pakistan cricket series, how he’s looking forward to his coaching stint in the Sri Lankan Premier League, his thoughts on the recent form of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Sami, and his hope that the selector’s introduce youth into Pakistan’s pace bowling sooner than later.

By Saj Sadiq (July 18th 2012)

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net former Pakistan pace bowler, captain and head coach WaqarYounis speaks about the importance of India and Pakistan cricket series, how he’s looking forward to his coaching stint in the Sri Lankan Premier League, his thoughts on the recent form of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Sami, and his hope that the selector’s introduce youth into Pakistan’s pace bowling line up sooner rather than later.


India v Pakistan

I hope the series happens. The schedule has been announced and it’s very important for Pakistan to go to India and then hopefully the Indians will at some point in the future come to Pakistan to play cricket. It’s a very important series for Pakistan and the PCB, because if the Indians come and play in Pakistan then I think other countries may follow suit. 

The series in India could open the doors for cricket returning to Pakistan which is crucial for the development of cricket in Pakistan and for the cricketing talent in Pakistan. The signs are encouraging, let’s hope that there are no problems and the series goes ahead.

India and Pakistan cricket series are an opportunity for everyone, whether it’s the politicians, the people, the cricketers, it’s beneficial to everyone. There’s not an inch given when the two teams clash and it is cricket at it’s best. I’ve had a lot of experience in such matches and I feel there’s nothing quite like a cricket match between India and Pakistan.


Coaching in the Sri Lankan Premier League

I’m really looking forward to the task of coaching Ruhuna. It’s something different and it will be a new experience. It is of course entirely different to leading a national team with not the same challenges as coaching an international team. Hopefully the players of Ruhuna and my colleagues on the coaching staff and I can put up a good show. I’m very excited by this opportunity and the challenge it represents and also the fact that it’s a new tournament on the world stage.

I’ve played cricket all my life and the opportunity to coach at the Sri Lankan Premier League was a challenge that I wanted to take on. I enjoy being around cricket whether it’s in the commentary box or coaching, I like to give something back to the game that I love. 

The Role of the Bowling Coach for Cricket Australia

Yes I applied for the role but I’ve not heard anything further as yet from Cricket Australia.


Junaid Khan

The young man looked in good rhythm in the Test series. It was great to see Junaid bowling so well against a powerful Sri Lankan batting line up. The main reason why Junaid was successful and Umar Gul and Mohammad Sami struggled was that Junaid was bowling the right length for those wickets. 

Junaid looked full of energy compared to Gul and Sami, he was using the angles well, using the crease well, bowling round the wicket, over the wicket, bowling with variety and skill, but as I say the length he was bowling was perfect and astute.

Junaid’s a real talent, an up and coming bowler who will only get better if he is looked after properly. It’s vital that he is looked after, his fitness maintained and he is used at the right times by his captains.


Umar Gul

Gul looked totally out of sorts in Sri Lanka and he seemed off colour. I watched his bowling very closely and it appeared to me that he was rushing in his approach to the crease, trying too hard to take wickets. When I say trying too hard, I mean he was trying to do too much with every delivery and that affected his control, his accuracy and the length he was bowling.

Gul is still a vital component in the Pakistani Test bowling line up and I don’t think he should be discarded. Those with short memories may have forgotten Gul’s efforts in the UAE against England recently. I think the Test series in Sri Lanka was a bad series for Gul but I think it was a one-off and I’m sure he will bounce back.


Mohammad Sami

Sami as usual was expensive, he’s made 14 or 15 comebacks and he has still not learnt the art of bowling in international cricket. Sami has done well recently in domestic cricket but when it comes to international cricket he’s been expensive. 

Having said that though, this time around Sami looked better than what I have seen in the past from him. He’s not a youngster, he’s had lots of chances and I think he’s going to find it difficult to retain his spot in the Pakistan side particularly in Test cricket.


Time to Introduce Youth to the Pakistan Bowling Attack

There are several young fast bowlers pushing the likes of Mohammad Sami for a place. I don’t want to single any youngsters out and put more pressure on them but the likes of Sami need to look over their shoulder.

I think it’s very important for the selectors to keep bringing youngsters through, particularly fast bowlers. I think it’s time to introduce some young pace bowlers to the Pakistan team in all formats and for those quickbowlers to be given a chance.

There is enough fast bowling talent there in Pakistan and the selectors should utilise the talent and give those youngsters an opportunity instead of ignoring them. If the young quick bowlers in Pakistan are not given achance by the selectors, it will be a huge loss.

Discuss!