Lahore, Mar.27 (ANI): Admitting that coaching the national squad ‘is not a bed of roses’, newly appointed Pakistan cricket coach, Waqar Younis, has said that he has left his ego back in Australia and is now ready to accept the challenge.
“Coaching is all about management. A coach needs to forget his ego – for being a great player of yesteryear. He should come to the level of his players and think the way they think. I have left my ego back in Australia because I believe that no coach is bigger than the game,” Waqar said in an interview with Deutsche Welle Urdu Service.
Waqar, who had settled in Sydney after retiring from professional cricket, said he would give his best and would try not to disappoint the fans, who have had few occasions to celebrate over their national squad’s success in the recent past.
“The history of Pakistan cricket tells us that the coaching of the national team is no an easy task. But someone had had to come forward and I accepted the challenge. I assure the nation and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that I will not disappoint them,” he said.
Waqar, who arguably was one of best swing bowler of his times, said his priority would be to install discipline and confidence in the team, and urged people to refrain from criticising the team and the team management after every defeat.
“I understand that the people of Pakistan are mad for cricket and their sentiments are badly injured when the national team loses but I request them that they should curb their emotions and try to understand the circumstances before reacting,” he said.
Though Waqar’s first assignment is to help Pakistan defend its title in the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship in West Indies, but the newly appointed coach said his prime target is the 2011 World Cup.
“Yes, World Cup 2011 is the real target. I have seen immense talent in Pakistan A and U-19 teams which needs to be groomed and I am sure that in next few months things would start moving in the right direction,” he said.
Waqar said Pakistan has got players who are capable of lifting the T20 World Cup once again, and added that fitness plays a vital role in any major tournament.
“Pakistan are capable of defending their title in the presence of Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Akmal brothers,” he said. (ANI)