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Waqar Younis feels Pakistan win against New Zealand in fifth ODI will boost team

Waqar was all praise for senior batsman, Younis Khan, who anchored the innings with an impressive century.

Waqar Younis (above) is Pakistan's head coach © Getty Images
Waqar Younis (above) is Pakistan’s head coach © Getty Images

Dec 18, 2014

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, is of the view that Pakistan will have their spirits raised, ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015, if they clinch victory over New Zealand in the fifth ODI, which will also determine the series winner. New Zealand won a thriller at Sharjah on Wednesday to level the series 2-2.

The series has been very evenly spread so far with the three match test series drawn 1-1 and the same was the case with the two-match-T20I series. This will add more context to the closing match of the series.

Younis feels, the result in the final ODI will give Pakistan an idea of where they stand and what chances they have at the World Cup that kicks off in Australia-New Zealand on February 14, 2015. He said, “We need to win the final one-day. This series is for us to utilise and get the clear picture who are the final 15 (players for the World Cup) and besides that win this series.”

Waqar was all praise for senior batsman, Younis Khan, who anchored the innings with an impressive century and captain, Shahid Afridi for a spirited knock of 49 from 29 deliveries, reported Supersport official website. “Younis’s form was very important, he has shown us his true potential. Afridi also batted well and showed fighting abilities” he said.

Waqar pointed out that shoddy fielding contributed to Pakistan’s loss, “Honestly, we lost the match because of the fielding, we gave away some 20-25 runs in the field and that is a worrying sign for me.”

He praised the teams batting efforts that almost snatched victory from the visitors saying, “I am happy at the fight, the expectations we had with our batting were fulfilled and we maintained a nine plus average, unfortunately we couldn’t finish that but the fight pleased me.”

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