Archer licking lips at prospect of bowling at Pakistan: Waqar

Reuters Published June 2, 2019

England quick Jofra Archer will be salivating at the prospect of bowling at Pakistan’s batsmen after witnessing the South Asian side’s meek surrender against the West Indies pacemen, the team’s former captain and coach Waqar Younis has said. — Photo courtesy PCB/File

NOTTINGHAM: England quick Jofra Archer will be salivating at the prospect of bowling at Pakistan’s batsmen after witnessing the South Asian side’s meek surrender against the West Indies pacemen, the team’s former captain and coach Waqar Younis has said.

A blistering Oshane Thomas-led pace attack swept Pakistan away for a dismal 105 at Trent Bridge on Friday as West Indies wrapped up a seven-wicket victory in under 14 overs in their World Cup opener.

Pakistan’s total was their lowest World Cup score since making 74 against England at Adelaide in 1992, the year Imran Khan’s team went on to lift their only 50-overs crown.

But any hopes of repeating that feat will face its sternest test as soon as Monday when Sarfraz Ahmed’s side take on tournament hosts and favourites England, the world’s top-ranked side in the format.

“It will be difficult for the team to bounce back quickly enough for Monday against England a team who are on such a high,” former Pakistan captain Waqar wrote in a column for the governing body International Cricket Council. “They have probably never played better, and I think they have all the ingredients to go all the way and end their long wait for a World Cup.”

Barbados-born Archer represented West Indies at youth level and was named in England’s 15-man squad despite only having made his One-day International debut last month.

He picked up three key South African wickets in England’s comprehensive 104-run win on Thursday, bowling with lot of pace and bounce in London.

”... you can be sure that a certain Jofra Archer will be licking his lips,” said Waqar, himself a tearaway fast bowler in his playing days.

“I have loved what I have seen of him so far. He is going to be the man that the world will remember when all is said and done at this World Cup.

“He has just got something about him, a bit of stardust. He is nippy and bowls with that extra bounce and most importantly, he takes wickets. I am sure he will leave a mark on this World Cup and probably on Pakistan on Monday.”

Waqar, however, feels it would be foolish to write off Pakistan given the format of the tournament during which all 10 sides face each other before the semi-finalists are decided.

“A lot has been said before about Pakistan’s record in the past, the unpredictable nature of this side. They lost heavily in their first game in 1992 and bounced back to win that tournament after all,” Waqar said.

“But we cannot really dwell on what happened 27 years ago. Winning the 2019 tournament is going to take some doing this time around. A defeat like that damages the confidence and we need to make sure that we take our time to try and bounce back, think positive and turn the ship around.”

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2019

WorldCup19

Sport

‘I will make no excuse for big defeat’

Shocking start but we will bounce back: Arthur after Windies defeat

Pakistan's Trent Bridge collapse and the inevitability of it all

Herman

Jun 02, 2019 01:07pm

The 15 Pakistani players are wishing that " Hope they drop me for this game" This is going to be a very one-sided match. All bets off. The match will be over in the first 10 overs either way, Pakistan batting collapse or England with Bairstow and Roy scoring over hundred in the first 8 overs.

Recommend 0

JackJones

Jun 02, 2019 01:23pm

There was no need for Waqar Younis to make those comments. Waqar Younis was NOT a good coach and the main reason for Abdul Razzak to end his career, he was a gem of a stone talent and could have played for another 5 years. Please refrain from making comments against Pakistan team. Inshallah Sarfraz and his team will bounce back and then only they will be talking and NOT you.

Recommend 0

Ajith kumar

Jun 02, 2019 01:36pm

Why is Waqar so frustrated? The team at least is doing better now thn under his coaching. Sitting across the border i watch every Pakistan team match. Every team in this world cup is professional and plays by their wits but Pakistan is possibly the only team that plays with their hearts worn on their sleeves. That is why i love watching them and hope their passion never fades.

Recommend 0

Javed Siraj

Jun 02, 2019 02:07pm

Mr. Waqar Yunus sorry you are getting any post in PCB, we had very bad time in 2015 W/C, where you did not give chance to Karachi base players, you are bias and you made PCB, (Punjab Cricket Board) no need to give opinion further. your time is over, presently cricket is more advance, than your time.

Recommend 0

Khawaja

Jun 02, 2019 02:08pm

Jofra Archer is good bowler so as so many others. Remember Hasan Ali was the bowler of Champions Trophy last year. Jofra Archer IPL economy rate 6.76 vs Hasan Ali Champions Trophy 4.29. Pakistan lost early wickets against WI not entirely due to aggressive bowling or poor batting rather due to element of chance e.g. Fakhar Zaman was hit on the helmet and bowl rolled to the stumps similarly Imam could have gone for four another day rather than getting caught behind. Pakistan will bounce back and will play a close match with England whom we defeated in the Champions Trophy recently.

Recommend 0

SyedK

Jun 02, 2019 02:36pm

Here is the thing about all this talk that Pakistan can bounce back. Everyone keeps referring to 1992 and Champions trophy. The difference here is that pretty much all teams, with the exception of maybe Sri Lanka, seem very well prepared. Their mental level, approach and attitude probably driven by some great coaching shows them that they are very prepared. Pakistan on the other hand does not look mentally prepared and it shows. We may see some individual performances but as a team they feel disjointed,and that is what is needed here is a team performance. I heard Babar Azam's interview prior to the WC and he talked about him leaving a mark on the WC. Sir talk about winning the WC and doing well for the team not leaving individual marks.

Recommend 0

Fez

Jun 02, 2019 03:21pm

@JackJones, mate Waqar is 100 percent correct. Everpne knows the bowling is pathetic and why mr wahab riaz no longer swinging the ball. Beat England in your dreams.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 02, 2019 03:47pm

The comments and observations of the former pace bowler, skipper and coach of the greenshirts are 100 percent true. Nevertheless, even he has admitted that greenshirts could bounce back any time and on their day, they have the potential to turn the tables on any team in the world. Let's wait and see if they could start doing so from Monday, June 03, 2019 onwards in the ongoing 2019 World Cup Cricket tourney in Trent Bridge, Nottingham?

Recommend 0

Fez

Jun 02, 2019 03:51pm

@Ajith kumar, you are right Ajith. But the current selector has obsession to play pensioner players, and has been bowlers. No fresh faces.

Recommend 0

Abdul

Jun 02, 2019 03:57pm

I think this Asian team did not have a single chance if we are getting these kind of pitches which we saw against westindies ,not only pakistan even India batting line should also be exposed.you will see pakistan better performance whenever they will get dry and slow wickets. Please also note those people who are critisizing waqar. In waqar coaching pakistan at least perform well in test matches since miky came we are badly loss in test matches as well. I think Rashid Latif should be given the coaching of pakistan team as he spokes and analyse so well on tv why not we can take advantage of his skills.

Recommend 0

Waqar

Jun 02, 2019 09:42pm

@Ajith kumar, where is the team doing better now if they have lost all of their odi and also below in test

Recommend 0

Dr Kabir

Jun 02, 2019 10:36pm

Interesting comments from Waqar. Archer may be quick, but he has a long way to go to prove himself. I feel Waqar wants the new team management tofail. With a comment like this, he has put even more pressure on Pakistani players. Irresponsible leadership by Waqar. His EGO is hurting.

Recommend 0

Sayyar Khan

Jun 03, 2019 12:26am

@Ajith kumar, I wish that was the case Heart on their sleeves BUT truth is they have no heart. It was an embarrassing loss. They better make up for it.

Recommend 0

Sayyar Khan

Jun 03, 2019 12:27am

@Javed Siraj, by Karachi based players you guys always mean Urdu speaking. Because during his time Afridi, Younus Khan. These players were Karachi based. Meaning you yourself are biased.

Recommend 0

Qamar

Jun 03, 2019 02:42am

Sour grapes - Waqar can only see positive in Archer and playing demoralising actor for Pakistan team with his article! He was a great bowler but i remember his poor World Cup over where he bowled deliberate Beamer to Andrew Symond and Pakistan was lost! It is pressure environment mate and you know it. Yes it was poor performance and like brain freeze from Pakistan but remember the current bunch got skills and can play anyb Archer or Waqar without fear - shot pitched bowling not always worked anyway as team can leak too many runs too! Wish good luck to team Pakistan and looking for them to bounce back - Good Willing!

Recommend 0

fact

Jun 03, 2019 06:14am

@Khawaja, Champions Trophy was 2 years back, better if you come out of it.

Recommend 0

Obaid Beg

Jun 03, 2019 06:36am

Looling forward to Pakistan win..IA...time will tell..

Recommend 0

Justice

Jun 03, 2019 09:45am

Waqar was a good bowler but as a coach he always doubted his players. Waqar, you need to learn to believe in your team.