Sharjah. Legendary Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis, the previous Pakistan coach before Mickey Arthur took over, is delighted with the team’s performance so far. Some of the ideas he introduced are bearing its fruits now with the Test team even clinching the No.1 rank through its consistent performance. Back in the role of a commentator, he spoke indepth to Gulf News on his days as coach, the transformation of the team and even predicted a 9-0 drubbing for West Indies in the hands of Pakistan.
As a former coach of the Pakistan team how do you find the performance of the present Pakistan team here?
It’s indeed wonderful. They have played extremely well in the T20 format and they look like a good unit. Imad Wasim who is leading the pack of the bowlers has been outstanding. Even the batters are finding their feet and playing their natural game. It’s still early days. West Indies are not playing to their potential at the moment. As long as you feel good and you think you are a good side it will give you the confidence in moving forward.
What was the basic problem that could have been rectified now from your period as coach that has resulted in such a good show?
I think Mickey Arthur is probably trying to implement what I suggested while I was a coach. Even when I was leading the team I had suggested few thing like fitness, fielding, need for young and fresh legs. This was always my aim to wanting a young team. Look at this present team, it is a fresh team, they are all very young and a young leader and all these make a huge difference.
If not talent then what was it that Pakistan was missing from winning matches?
I think the missing part was the youngsters. Imad and Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali are all young fellows coming through and finding their feet. They are looking really good and that has made the big difference. Don’t forget it’s still early days. This is only a performance of a team against a team which looks very down and out. We have not seen West Indies playing to their potential yet but Pakistan definitely is looking to improve on things.
Pakistan becoming the No. 1 Test team is not a sudden development, don’t you feel it is due to consistent show of team during your phase as coach. Where you appreciated for your contribution?
(Smiles) We have been playing really good Test cricket. We beat most of the teams in the UAE and even against England recently we played really good cricket. Our Test team is a lot more settled. In One Day Internationals we are still finding our feet because of the change in laws and we still miss the big hitters. So I feel it is going to take a little bit more time to find few more youngsters who can really clear the field and with more fitness.
So what do you feel about some of the experienced players like Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal wanting to come back into the team?
I think there are ways and they can always keep trying and keep working hard and look for their place. But what I am seeing right now is this team moving in the right direction and I feel Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz are doing a good job. Pakistan team is moving in the right direction.
West Indies looks an easy side or do you think they can still comeback to beat Pakistan?
To be honest I feel there are plenty of loopholes. They don’t really look like a unit having sacked their coach before coming on this tour. They are having issues with new captain having to step in as they also sacked their captain Darren Sammy. These things are never good and easy when you are going to play in someone else backyard. All these have really affected them and you could clearly see it during the T20 series, their body language is no there. They have to really pull their strings very quickly before it gets too late. At the moment after what I have seen in this series it looks like it might be nine-nil, to be very honest. They have to really play good cricket. Somebody has to inspire this West Indies team to go out and play positive. At the moment they look like they are all over the place.
When you were coaching you went through a tough phase especially in regards to team discipline. Was discipline factor bit of a problem?
I would not say it was a discipline factor it was just that I did never get a chance to play around with the young players like it is now. That makes a huge difference but I am glad the good part is that the Pakistan team is playing really good cricket now and moving forward and looking to win the games.
It was during your period that spot fixing incident happened in 2010. Do you think those players should have been allowed to return to the side? Now even the then captain Salman Butt is wanting to comeback. What’s your take on this matter?
Mohammad Amir came back during the period when I was still the coach. I was always in favour of bringing him back into the squad because I had felt that if he has served his sentence and paid the price for that. Everybody deserves another go and another chance in life and so why not. I am for all of them not only Amir because if the other two are doing really well in the domestic level and if they have learned the lesson then, why not. If they are good for the team we should pick them.
How is to return to commentary after being a coach?
As a commentator there is no pressure, it is comfortable sitting in the air conditioned room. Of course I do miss being a coach because I spend good four years with these kids in my two stints and I’ve loved every bit of it. I enjoyed working with these boys as they are good kids. The nicest feeling about being a coach is that it gives a lot of satisfaction when your boys do really well and when team wins. The inner satisfaction is there when you have contributed to the team’s success.
You were not involved in the inaugural Pakistan Super League(PSL) so can we see you playing a part in it?
That was the time when I was the head coach of the Pakistan team and I was busy with my own things. This time around let’s see what happens. I will get involved in commentary or something else which I don’t know.
