Former Pakistan coach and captain Waqar Younis expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Pakistan Cricket team and said that the team is moving in the right direction under newly appointed coach Mickey Arthur.

Talking to DawnNews at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Waqar said, "the biggest reason behind Pakistan's success at Test Cricket is the result of efforts put in by senior players."

"The team has matured in the last five years and the draw against England earlier this year lifted the morale of the players," added the former paceman.

He added that it is a bit early to discuss the performance of coach Mickey Arthur, but added that newly appointed coach has enabled the team to perform well in the Test series against England.

The former coach said, "Mickey Arthur is an upright person for the job and his performance as coach looks goods but the real test lies ahead in the series against New Zealand and Australia".

Waqar Younis, in his interview, also expressed his love for Test cricket and said that despite the popularity of T20s, Test cricket plays a vital in the game.

Waqar applauded the innovations introduced in the format of Test cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC). and said,

"Innovations such as day and night matches and the introduction of a pink ball will be a good attraction to pull the crowds."

Referring to the lack of pacers in the national team, the former paceman said Pakistan is experiencing a slump in fast bowling as it has not produced many players who can bowl over 159km/h in recent years.

He also praised the efforts done under the banner of Pakistan Super League, but warned that new talent must not be restricted to the T20 format.

"West Indies team of my era can not be compared to the team," said Waqar referring to the West Indies team playing a Test series against Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

NAP revival
Updated 17 Mar, 2025

NAP revival

This bloody cycle of violence will continue unless action is complemented with social, economic, political efforts in Balochistan and KP.
New reality
17 Mar, 2025

New reality

THE US retreat from global climate finance commitments could not have come at a worse time. Pakistan faces an...
Killer traffic
17 Mar, 2025

Killer traffic

MYSTERIOUS and unstoppable. It is these words that perhaps best describe the recent surge in traffic-related...
After the review
Updated 16 Mar, 2025

After the review

Should prepare economy for durable growth by attracting foreign private investments to boost productivity and exports.
Embracing crypto
16 Mar, 2025

Embracing crypto

IT seems a little prod was all it took for Pakistan to finally ‘embrace the future’. The Pakistan Crypto Council...
Fault lines
16 Mar, 2025

Fault lines

IT was a distressing spectacle, though a sadly predictable one. As the National Assembly took up for discussion the...