Last three months worst period for Pak cricket in past three decades: Waqar
June 10th, 2010 - 2:58 pm ICT by ANI
Islamabad, Jun.10 (ANI): The recent series of controversies have had the worst effect on the Pakistan cricket team in the last three decades, believes coach Waqar Younis.
“I think what has happened in the last three months, it has damaged the team more than it did in the last 25-30 years,” Waqar said.
Waqar, however, said that the team should forget the past and move forward and perform well at the international stage.
“Now it’s the time to look forward and see how we could perform well and win international matches,” The News quoted Waqar, as saying.
Following their disastrous tour of Australia in January-February, during which Pakistan did not win even a single match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed bans and hefty fines on several players, including captain Mohammed Yousuf, and senior cricketers like Younis Khan, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Shahihd Afridi and others.
Later, Mohammed Yousuf retired from all from of cricket in protest against the PCB’s ‘indefinite’ ban.
An arbitrator, however, removed the indefinite ban on Younis Khan and lifted a one-year suspension on Malik while revoking a fine slapped on Afridi and reducing fines on Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal.
Waqar also backed the selection of injury prone fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup.
“He (Akhtar) is fit, but I know it’s not easy to make a comeback because I have gone through this when I used to play international cricket,” he said.
“Akhtar would not be rushed back, we will try to blend him slowly back into international cricket,” added Waqar. (ANI)
- Banned Younis, Malik and ageing Akhtar in PCB's list of 35 probables for Asia Cup - May 26, 2010
- Banned, fined Pak players to appear before PCB appellate tribunal on Friday - Apr 28, 2010
- Ex-Pak skipper Mohammad Yousuf retires from international cricket - Mar 29, 2010
- Team would miss banned senior players : Waqar Younis - Mar 21, 2010
- Yousuf refuses to appeal against ban, says 'Allah' will decide - Apr 18, 2010
- Younis eyeing Test comeback against England? - Jul 24, 2010
- Yousuf retires - but only 'for the time being' - Mar 29, 2010
- Yousuf-Younus unlikely to be recalled for England Test series - Jul 26, 2010
- Younis Khan challenges Pakistan board's ban - Mar 25, 2010
- Akmal rejoicing return to Pakistan team - Jan 05, 2011
- Chit-chat with girls, other reasons behind ban, fine on Pak cricketers - May 09, 2010
- Afridi, Younis appeal against PCB penalties (Lead) - Mar 25, 2010
- PCB snubs Afridi by ignoring Younis for ODI series against England - Aug 25, 2010
- Waqar 'miffed' over Malik's omission from ODI squad for series against England - Aug 28, 2010
- Pakistan manager questions life ban on Younis - Mar 10, 2010
Tags: afridi, akmal, arbitrator, asia cup, controversies, cricketers, hasan, hefty fines, international cricket, international stage, last three decades, man squad, mohammed yousuf, pak cricket, pakistan cricket board, pakistan cricket team, rana naved, shoaib malik, single match, younis khan