Published: Apr 09, 2016, 06:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 09, 2016, 06:05 PM (IST)
Pakistan have been unsuccessful with their stint in major tournaments of Asia Cup T20 2016 and T20 World Cup 2016 as result of which Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis resigned from his position while Shahid Afridi resigned as the captain. Waqar was unable to bring much of difference to the team in the recently concluded tournaments and in conversation with ESPNcricinfo, he mentioned there was lack of proper direction at the administrative level with PCB having two heads in board chairman Shaharyar Khan and executive committee chairman Najam Sethi. Waqar also further mentioned, Afridi’s temperament issue did not help either to bring some improvement in the team. READ: T20 World Cup 2016: Waqar Younis’ report over Pakistan’s dismal performance termed false by Haroon Rasheed
His announcement of resigning as head coach came soon after his report against Afridi regarding his leadership skills and indiscipline among the players was leaked to the public. Waqar said, “The biggest issue was having two heads of a family, [it] did not help the cause. Not only for the coach but cricket overall also suffered because, inside the PCB, there are two heads and two different directions. That needs to be looked into. That is very important.”
Waqar felt PCB was here to help cricket grown and no the other way round and mentioned, “I have said previously that people in a cricket board should be coming towards the team, towards the coaching staff. They should be coming towards us, to improve things, because they are for the cricket team, for the game. The cricket team is not for them. Here we have a culture where cricket teams beg for things from them. It should be the other way around and it needs to be changed on an immediate basis.”Waqar stuck around with Pakistan despite issues with a hope to improve Pakistan cricket but all did not go well and further added, “I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted to. I’m always in support of the younger players coming through, indulging the younger players, but unfortunately it did not happen. There were forces that didn’t allow me.” READ: IPL 2016: Waqar Younis signs deal with Sony for commentating in IPL 9
“Some people ask why didn’t I leave early but I have faith in the idea that to fix the system, you have to stay in the system. I’ve tried to fix it, but it didn’t work.” Waqar also said Afridi has inability to perform for long periods and added, “Afridi’s drawbacks as a captain are for everyone to see. He has got a temperament issue. He cannot sit for too long to highlight things, or absorb things and then go and implement them. I’ve said this in my report.” He also compared Afridi to former Pakistan cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq saying, “My relationship with Misbah was excellent and we all know that. Because I think he has got a great temperament for cricket. When you sit with him, he can talk about cricket for hours. And I think when you are a captain; you need to absorb a lot of things from the coach.”
He feels unfortunate about his relationship being strained due to the leaked reports and said, “I have been very clear that report was not for the media, but for the cricket board. Unfortunately, the report was leaked and my relationship with Afridi has been spoilt.”
He feels PCB requires a manager who can concentrate on performance and work as bridge between board and players also maintain equal communication with physios, trainers and handle cricketing matter tactically.
