Lahore: Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis (left) on Tuesday begged forgiveness from the nation and said he was prepared to resign after his team was knocked out of the World Twenty20 at the group stage.
The 2009 champions have been widely blasted by fans following a lacklustre performance with just one victory against lowly ranked Bangladesh and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.
Team members were jeered on their return this weekend by huge crowds at Lahore airport, who chanted “Shame! Shame!”
Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board headquarters in Lahore on Tuesday, Waqar said: “I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation.”
The fast-bowling legend, who was hired as head coach for a second time in 2014 and whose contract is due to expire in May, added that he was prepared to stand down if it was in the team’s best interest, but stopped short of offering his resignation.
“If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay,” he said.
He also echoed calls made last week for a revamp of the country’s domestic structure, and added that the malaise stemmed from Pakistan’s lack of home games since 2009 militant attacks on the Sri Lankan team.
“When there is no cricket at home then the foundation will for sure become weak,” he said.
Pakistan’s early exit prompted a wave of criticism in the country, with veterans like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malek singled out in particular.
Media reports from Pakistan, meanwhile, said Waqar has submitted his report on the team’s performances in some of recent series to PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan.
“Waqar has given a damning report on the team players and has said that most of the players were not able to implement the game plan given to them by the coach,” a source said.
“Waqar has specifically pinpointed that some of the players are just not willing to work hard enough or cooperate with the coaching staff by executing the suggestions given to them,” he added.
The source also said that the coach was not happy with Shahid Afridi’s captaincy. “Waqar has also questioned the captaincy skills of Shahid Afridi and some of his decisions. In totality, the head coach is clearly not happy with the way the players have responded or shown improvement in their game.”
The PCB chief has sent the report to the fact-finding committee, which is formed to probe into the team’s poor performance in the Asia Cup and World T20, as well as in earlier series against England and New Zealand.
The committee, which includes Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and senior batsman Younis Khan, has been given the mandate by the board to meet and talk to the captain, coach, manager and senior players of the national team.
