Waqar Younis resigns as Pakistan coach

Published April 4, 2016
The former fast-bowler quit the job after Pakistan’s disastrous exit from the World T20. — Agencies
The former fast-bowler quit the job after Pakistan’s disastrous exit from the World T20. — Agencies

Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis resigned on Monday weeks after his team's humiliating exit from the World Twenty20 in the group stages.

“I am resigning from my post today with a heavy heart,” a dejected Waqar said while addressing reporters outside the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The former captain said the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) failure to implement his recommendations after the 2015 World Cup and the 'leak' of his confidential report after the team's disastrous run at the World T20 played a 'big' role in him walking away from his post three months before his contract expires.

“The cricket board’s failure to work on my recommendations after the 2015 World Cup is the major reason for my disappointment.”

“And the leak of a confidential report after the World T20 also influenced my decision. Ultimately, I want the betterment of Pakistan cricket and it is only right to walk away. I will, however, be available to help Pakistan in anyway,” he added.

The 44-year-old took on the job for the second time in 2014, having previously held the post in 2010-11.

He made a formidable partnership with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq to lift the team to number two in the Test rankings late last year, a spot they had previously attained in 2006.

The fast-bowling legend failed, however, to reverse Pakistan's fortunes in the game's shorter formats, with the team ranked a lowly seventh and eighth place in Twenty20 and one-day internationals respectively.

In his leaked report, Younis criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to not give him a say in the selection process and blasted the captaincy of Shahid Afridi.

“We lost to New Zealand, Asia Cup and the World T20 due to poor captaincy. Over several occasions, I had made it clear that Shahid Afridi was not performing with the bat, ball or as a captain but I was not listened to,” he said.

Afridi also stepped down as the captain of the T20 side on Sunday but intends to continue playing for Pakistan in the shortest format.

Opinion

Editorial

Plugging the gap
06 May, 2024

Plugging the gap

IN Pakistan, bias begins at birth for the girl child as discriminatory norms, orthodox attitudes and poverty impede...
Terrains of dread
Updated 06 May, 2024

Terrains of dread

Restored faith in the police is unachievable without political commitment and interprovincial support.
Appointment rules
Updated 06 May, 2024

Appointment rules

If the judiciary had the power to self-regulate, it ought to have exercised it instead of involving the legislature.
Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....