World T20: Tough New Zealand battles will spur Pakistan, says Waqar
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Pakistan may have lost the ODI and T20 series against New Zealand but coach Waqar Younis believes the tough encounters will hold the young side in good stead come the Asia Cup and World T20.
Pakistan’s only win on the tour came in the first T20 after which the hosts beat them on a trot, winning the T20 series 2-1 and taking the ODIs fixtures 2-0.
Despite a tough run, there were many positives to take from the tour, Waqar said after Pakistan's loss in the third ODI on Sunday.
“It’s always good for a young side like Pakistan to face a strong outfit like New Zealand before big tournaments. It will give them a lot of confidence despite the fact that we did not win anything,” Waqar said in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media release after the match.
New Zealand have won 24 out of their 34 ODI outings since January 2015 while Pakistan have struggled in the shorter formats of the game winning just 12 out of the 24 one-day matches they have played.
The difference was quite evident in the five limited-overs encounters but Waqar said Pakistan did really well acclimatise to the conditions and could have won all the matches on the tour.
“Conditions in New Zealand are tough and it takes time to acclimatise, but the squad adjusted quite easily,” he said
“Although we failed to win matches, the tour has been productive when it comes to learning and growth.”
Waqar also identified Babar Azam as the 'find' of the tour.
The right-handed middle-order batsman scored 145 runs in the two ODIs, scoring half centuries in each and displayed a wide array of strokes.
“Babar Azam was a very positive we can take out of this tour. He is a talented youngster and considering the fact that the Asia Cup and World T20 are around the corner, he is a player Pakistan can bank on.”
The former captain and bowling great was, however, not too impressed with the way Pakistan's bowlers fared in New Zealand.
“There were lapses in fielding and bowling. The catches we dropped in the 1st and 3rd ODIs cost us a lot, may be a series win,” he said.
“I think lack of fitness is the main reason our bowlers have not done well enough. They need more time,” said the Pakistan head coach.
The next destination for some of the Pakistan players is UAE where the Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicks off from February 4 which will be followed by the Asia Cup T20 before the World T20 which is set to be staged in India from March 8.
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Comments (71) Closed
Jan 31, 2016 06:10pm
I think the best lesson learned is that we need an actual coach who actually works on the team before the tournament. Plus we also found that the opening pair needs to be replaced.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:12pm
What will spur Pakistan is your resignation! in your tenure you havent developed one wicket taking bowler and your best bowler a kid who came back after 5 years!!! My lord how can you call yourself a coach? Not only could you not instill confidence in your batsmen, you have managed you turn your fearless ones into ball fearing cowards!
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Jan 31, 2016 06:12pm
Waqar and team management, we want some constructive actions from you,
Not words.
Improve running between wickets. Too many silly run outs.
Fielding and ridiculous shot selection by batsman.
Bowlers must improve.
And please select the best X1, not friends X1.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:19pm
Best think for pakistan cricket is to line up PCB member and management and let the public loose on them
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Jan 31, 2016 06:23pm
i think the change needs to come from the grass root level. young players are still taught by those having a test match mentality (block four balls, leave the fifth, take single on the last one in order not to give a maiden). the game has changed. we need to shift gears with the world and stop living in the past.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:23pm
Amir is well on his way back.His bowling is clearly the best in the team, even in this lost game.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:24pm
That's probably what you also said after the whitewash against Bangladesh and England last year. How many more matches would you need to lose before your team is spurred on? By the way with the tight and exhaustive schedule which awaits Pakistan in PSL and the Asia cup, they would be terribly tired and unfocused during the T20 world cup. Be careful about that.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:34pm
Waqar Younis is a smart guy he is saving his job...in the present status the this team and the attitude of all a to z will never win...send them to Bangladesh, Zimbabwe,
Afghanistan and see the results yourself...Mr. Waqar Younis resign...
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Jan 31, 2016 06:38pm
There is always a winner in any game. But, what matters is the artistry and spirit of the game.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:39pm
Waqar can you just resign. We will look after our pelroblems after you which we believe will be gone with you.
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Jan 31, 2016 06:52pm
A typical Asian brought up mind will hang on to the job no matter how embarrassing would it get. Same examples being set all parts in the country
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Jan 31, 2016 06:57pm
Good excuse! We all can see that Pakistan team has very little chance to win Asia cup and World Cup with present team! Sorry for being passimistic.
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Jan 31, 2016 07:10pm
He knows, how to play with words. That's all !
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Jan 31, 2016 07:17pm
Wahab,Irfan,and Rahat Ali will have learn basics,why they bowl so wawardly after playing many years ,I hope just before their retirement they will start maintaining their line and length, look for some young bowlers and groom them.Look at Amir he resumed his career after 5 years and showed his class while it is very difficult to get rythem after a gap.
And please do not select Anwar Ali,if performs at domestic level,let him continue playing domestic cricket,he is good for domestic cricket only.Groom other youngsters,don't waste time on these mediocre players,also get rid of Ahmed Shahzad and Sohaib Maqsood.
Look at India they always have some good batters,why not Pakistan produce good batsmen like them?
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Jan 31, 2016 07:26pm
Babar Azam and Amir have star potential and are the future but I think Waqar will destroy both of them too and we all be back using Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik for another decade
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Jan 31, 2016 07:32pm
I am looking forward to explanation from the coach after early exit of Pakistan (this destiny is written on the wall) from T20 world cup. Everybody in PCB is too busy to find excuses to justify the the current state of affairs.This include management, batter of coaches and players.
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Jan 31, 2016 07:36pm
Mr. Waqar I doubt ur opinion for Asia Cup & W/c T20, ur graph r not winning. You have spent enough time with Pak team, always from higher to lower level, in ur tenure, no skill, fitness, u spent two yrs & all "A" class team lost, W/cup 2015 u only win "C" class team like ZAMB & S.Lanka. Now you giving hope to get ur 3rd tenure. Sorry to say that u do not have a Certificate for coaching courses, in view of this non-qualification ur performance below mines level, havent developed one world class bowler. PCB have to look real certified & Qualified coach passed all levels, who can work for batting & bowling. U do not have time to coach & knowledge without certification, after every series u go back to yr home country (Sydney). in spite high salary & perk, U$16K. Regret to say in the absence of any coaching certificate how can you say you r coach unfortunately it is not. For sake of high salary do not play with Pakistan for your personal interest. Do mercy on Pakistan and resigned.
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Jan 31, 2016 07:44pm
PCB hv to revisit for new local coach, we already lost world cup ODI 2015, whitewash against Bangladesh, England last year now both ODI+T20 in NZ. PCB not wait on promise of win in Asia cup & T20 cup, let allow him to go, his contract expiring in April let pay him 3 month extra salaries and hire good Pakistani coach. or face defeat in upcoming events.
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Jan 31, 2016 07:51pm
Waqar will not leave unless he has established a world record of largest number of defeats for a team in the entire cricketing world.under a coach. He has an unfinished agenda: more humiliations in the coming Asia Cup and the World Cup.
Nothing makes sense about his coaching and selection process for the line up. For example Anwar Ali performed beautifully in the match before the finals when he cleaned bowled 3 top New Zealand batsman - should have been 4 if the straight forward catch was not dropped. What was his reward? He was not selected for the final 3rd ODI game. Rahat was included instead. Probably this cost us the close finish match when Rahat gave 54 runs in 7 over with no wicket!
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Jan 31, 2016 07:53pm
We are sick of reading such comments again and again. The only thing that can spur Pakistan now his resignation!
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Jan 31, 2016 07:56pm
Young team, Mr Younis most these of men are in their 30's. I cant see any teenagers playing. Forget winning the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup let's hope they can WIN ONE MATCH of any sort in limited overs.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:20pm
All rubbish, continuously losing horse cannot win derby. What has this this high profile coach, low performance coach achieved, he is reported to bagging 1.6 million rupees per month. Honestly speaking no one looks serious about cricket in PCB.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:22pm
I don't think there is any chance for team Pakistan to win the coming world cup. Even in the last 4 it is not possible.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:26pm
One or two catches cost us series win? A coach should refrain from such statements. We were outplayed in all departments. Have some self respect please and retirw with grace. Seems that the coach is also mediocre like the rest of the team
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Jan 31, 2016 08:28pm
Quite honestly I am not seeing another bowler in Fast category anyone close to Mohammad Amir.That guy reminds me of yester year Malcolm Marshall,Joel Garner,Colin Croft,Holding ,Roberts.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:28pm
Mr. Sharyar + Board directors, please see with your eye, what happening in cricket a one man dominated Waqar Yunus we are loosing, is there any thing to get ride of this coach. He is bowler and Pakistan bowling r worse. We have seen today in today match. If there r anything you can do something before Asia cup & world cup T20 (2016) to save Pakistan from this coach who completely damage Pak team.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:42pm
Gutted with D/L and Anderson not given out. NZ won spirit of the sport award. Unbelievable.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:51pm
Guys you really think PCB is going to get rid of waqar younis. They are all working together and he will quit in his due time. If you all want some one to go then start at the top and the bottom will clean up itself. Shaheryar, Intikhab, Mr chief selecter, waqar. They are all part of the same chain. Try and go for the big fish
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Jan 31, 2016 08:53pm
Request to Dawn News Papers to post survey about coach Waqar Younus, ability, performance, handling players, similarly Azhar Ali did not deserve place in the ODI team as player two ODI 53 balls 19 runs (today 3 runs) and the quicker he is removed the better for the team combination.
Lastly under Waqar Yunus' coaching the Pakistani pace attack has lost it venom and ability of running through the opposite batting line up with their reverse swing and yorkers!!! No Dept working under Waqar and Azhar.
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Jan 31, 2016 08:53pm
They are thinking about bringing Kamran Akmal back. Cannt believe we cannt find a decent player out there. Kamran was and always will be corrupt..tells you alot
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Jan 31, 2016 08:57pm
We have given new world record to newzeland team players. At least we are on top some where. Please think positive and let our coach great waqar younus to continue this style of Pakistani cricket.
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Jan 31, 2016 09:11pm
Waqar should be very embarrassed and resign immediately but he never will and PCB is too coward to fire him. So, we are stuck with the losers until cricket is completely destroyed in Pakistan. What we can do is to stop watching it.
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Jan 31, 2016 09:17pm
Tell when you all will just keep learning lesson.when are you going to deliver Mr.Younis?
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Jan 31, 2016 09:37pm
The problem with Pakistani Cricket Team is one of attitude. Pakistan has never been a great team due to team work. They have always relied on individual heroics. Right from the time of Imran Khan to the time of Misbah, it always individual performances that have saved the games for the team. Bowlers are great but they don't hunt in packs. If one bowler is bowling very well, then other bowlers are leaking runs from the other end. If one batsman is performing well, one sees a collapse happening at the other end. This has been a story of Pakistan team unfortunately for a long time, except few patches here and there where the team suddenly finds its rhythm and starts playing as a unit. Compare this to Australia, England, SA, India or NZ who consistently perform as a team. Yes, they have their match winners and from time to time, those players play match winning innings also. But overall, everyone is contributing as a unit in those teams unlike Pakistan cricket team.
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Jan 31, 2016 09:46pm
Afridi,Shoaib Malik,Wahab Riaz and M hafeez. Dont know why he is calling it a young side
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Jan 31, 2016 10:05pm
Disappointing to see the quality of Pak fast bowling when coach is one of the greats. Wahab has been inconsistent. Since WC has ben wicketless in 8 out of 14 Odis. Can give you spells. Which most people like but not the consistency. More disappointing when people term him leader of attack. Irfan, has picked 2 wickets only 2 times and 3 only twice since Wc in 13 odis. Rahat got lot less chances but didnt make it count. Anwar is just a support bowler. spinners: Much talked Yasir has been wicketless in 5 out of 12 games. There were main bowlers since wc. Junaid has been off since his injury but was consistent before that. What has management/pcb done to bring him back to form? W20/asia cup in india but Afridi's bowling is below average, Malik doesnt bowl much, Imaad shown early sign but faded. Who will be main spinner there?No sign of a chance to full spinner.
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Jan 31, 2016 10:27pm
Waqar Younus has been bad news for Pakistan cricket. Since his selection as coach Pakistan rating in ODI & T-20 has one down. If Waqar continues Pakistan will be out of the 2019 WC.
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Jan 31, 2016 10:31pm
Dude put together a strategy for batting - your does not have a clue how to put up runs. If there is one thing you should have learned from New Zealand tour is ----Please give Shehzad a long break, this man does not know how to bat ! and he has been opening for us for so long
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Jan 31, 2016 10:41pm
What's with all this philosophically worded statement?!
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Jan 31, 2016 10:44pm
What is he talking about? This is not a young side. Barring a couple of players most have been around for a while. He's talking nonsense to mislead people. The fact is his stint as coach has been disastrous and he refuses any accountability on his part.
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Jan 31, 2016 11:01pm
Waqar you have failed to deliver as a couch . It's you that's part of the problem not a solution. Leave this job and do something else..
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Jan 31, 2016 11:09pm
I think Waquar's statement is to save his seat. It was a bad show by Pakistani team and he is trying smart by making it positive. Look to Indian team's wictory. They talk less and show more by actions.
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Jan 31, 2016 11:32pm
He'll say anything to keep his high paying job with all the perks.
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Jan 31, 2016 11:48pm
Poor series overall. Pakistan needs a pair of settled openers, the middle order seems stable but cannot accelerate in the death overs. For that, I admit, we may need Umar Akmal in the side. They bowled rather well in the third odi but in the first, it was the skippers decision to remove his strike bowlers from the attack when NZ were 99/6 that allowed them a comeback.
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Jan 31, 2016 11:59pm
@Naveed,USA In a country where Shahid Afridi was a batting idol for more than a decade, and Misbah was demonised for the way he played, what do you expect?
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Feb 01, 2016 12:00am
We need a coach who is not racist ... And selects team on merit not to show his power ...
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Feb 01, 2016 12:12am
hope pak team will improve and will give give a tough fight to team india in asia cup
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Feb 01, 2016 12:15am
Ppl calling on to replace Waqar with some "actual" coach doesn't realize that root cause of inconsistent performances in not Mr Waqar but our weak domestic structure and PCB not being an proper institution. Improve the domestic structure and make PCB a proper institution and u'll see the best coming out of ppl like Mr Waqar as a coach who was also one of the best during his peak as a player!
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Feb 01, 2016 01:53am
Waqar I am a big of your bowling but please don't ruin your name with coaching. You are not a good coach period. Please move on. You were doing great as a commentator.
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Feb 01, 2016 02:29am
"Babar Azam was a very positive we can take out of this tour" But Mr. Waqar, Babar has been around forever only to be neglected forever. He has been performing consistently but the selectors always ignored him.
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Feb 01, 2016 02:40am
good thing i have noticed last night that Pakistani batsmans played fearless game last night and result was better. Zafar Gohar or Imad wasim could have played instead of Wahab. Sarfaraz is not no6 batsman as he is not a power hitter. he is no 4 batsman when spinners are operating. Zafar Gohar need to be given more chance.
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Feb 01, 2016 02:41am
Waqar is "NOT' a leader and he should either resign or he needs to be replaced by the upper authority PCB which is another nuisance. Pakistan's chances in the upcoming World T20 are far less, keeping the recent results and performances.
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Feb 01, 2016 02:44am
Waqar Younis really thinks Pakistanis are stupid and will keep on believing his smoke and mirror show. No sir. Pakistan team has terminal cancer. One of these days the Pakistani public will teach of you a lesson that you will never forget.
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Feb 01, 2016 02:52am
Oh how I love the Fazal Mahmoods and Hanif Mohammads and Asif Iqbals and many others of Pakistan cricket. I salute you for the memories. Thank you.
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Feb 01, 2016 03:09am
There are just two reasons for such a pathetic performance: 1) Pakistan is short of good talent and skill, a bitter fact that has to be realized by the board. Ahmad Shahzad, Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal don't have class, talent and consistency that's is needed at top international cricket. 2) time has changed and so is the approach towards the game. Pakistan still play 1980s game for starting slow scoring 20 runs in the first 10 over in a limited over match... They need fearless and aggressive approach as adopted by all other teams but Pakistan is unable to do that due to reasons stated in point 1 above. Pakistan cannot approve its ranking beyond 8 in any format of the game.
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Feb 01, 2016 03:52am
Only thing these battles should spur for the team and management is to try other careers!
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Feb 01, 2016 04:44am
Either this guy is delusional or he wants to keep his job with such comments. I say it's both.
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Feb 01, 2016 04:51am
@Sarah - Amir regularly bowls between 130 & 140 km/hr, which is no comparison to the West Indian greats like Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Holding , Roberts, who were express pace bowlers, regularly bowling above 145 km/hr. Even our Indian bowlers Yadav, Shami, Ishant, Bumrah, etc bowl between 135 km/hr and 145 km/hr, but they are not express pace bowlers.
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Feb 01, 2016 05:33am
Mr Waqar Younis, hope is not a strategy. The day you and the PCB management understood this, the situation will change for the better.
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Feb 01, 2016 07:31am
I cry for you Pakistan. I cry for you Pakistan Cricket. You deserve better than this. There is no country in this world that is as beautiful as Pakistan. I have been to many. I love you Pakistan.
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Feb 01, 2016 08:54am
If you are fit like an Australian or new Zealander than you dont belong in the team. India only won t20 against a weaker aussie team so stop complaining. We need fitter, faster, skillful players. I think rizwan was good on his feet and fielding
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Feb 01, 2016 08:58am
whatever fame and respect Waqar earned as a bowler, he lost them as a coach
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Feb 01, 2016 09:11am
The biggest concern is the opening batsman for us,we will lose everything until and unless we aren't improving in that particular area ..
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Feb 01, 2016 10:10am
Pakistan is wasting the talent of Sarfaraz he should come up the order 1 down he is having the ability to stay at the crease and score big.
selectors should get rid of Ahmed shahzad .
saad nasim and haris sohail both should be included in ODI team
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Feb 01, 2016 10:16am
No Doubt Waqar younus was very good bowler but sorry to say he is lacking in coaching skills , bowlers are not at all performing under him.
Azhar Ali is not an aggresive Captain.He is not utilizing the bowlers properly, when Newzealand were 99/6 in the first ODI he should have gone for the kill by using his strike bowlers rather he is using part time bowlers and keeping the overs of main bowlers in tact..... NO SENSE
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Feb 01, 2016 10:57am
First of all Pakistan is not playing cricket outside subcontinent for long time , most of the cricket they are playing at DEAD pitches in UAE so we cannot expect much from the team when they tour to Australia New zealand England Africa. Even in UAE they are losing matches the reason is Pakistan approach in shorter formats is same like playing in test matches , it seems Pakistan forgot to play attacking aggresive cricket .
Selectors are not selecting the players on merit basis.
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Feb 01, 2016 12:50pm
bad coach pakistan team ever had under his coaching pakistan 2 world cup nil we won he should leave his job
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Feb 01, 2016 12:50pm
bad coach
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Feb 01, 2016 01:02pm
We have forgotten to give winning touch, we were in great shape in the last match but we lost our way when we should have scored around 330 plus, we lack finisher in our squad, Waqar and his team did well enjoying Newzealand as a country beside that nothing has been gained from the tour, what does he mean by young side, is Ahmed Shahzad, Hafeez, Malik, Sarfraz, Azhar, Irfan, Amir, Wahab, Anwar still young for him, pls get real Waqar, why doesn't he simply say that we lack good quality players in our line-up all are push overs. To be honest no hope with line up in the near future, yeah we might win couple of games here and there but no series to be honest !!!
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Feb 01, 2016 01:05pm
I am really surprised at the helm of affairs in PCB, no one knows how to run the board leading to the salvation of Pakistan cricket. They are a bunch of useless peoples, minting money. It is shame that Waqar is still the coach. I have no hope about the team doing any good in several years from now. They are a tested & tried failures.
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Feb 01, 2016 05:44pm
Waqar - Always defending the LOSSES - ICC ranking at the bottom
Shehzad - Shouldn't be allowed to play
Hafeez - Hmm ok for now
Azhar - From nowhere came to become the captain - what a pity for the nation
Babar - Good find
Imad - Good find
Sarfaraz - Sliding perfomance in bating, good keeper though
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