Lahore, June 03: Coach Waqar Younis believes that Pakistans tour of England would be important for rebuilding the team and said he was also looking forward to the arrival of young cricketers which could change their fortunes around.
Pakistan is scheduled to have a hectic four months, starting with the four-nation Asia Cup in Sri Lanka from June 15, following which they play Australia in two Twenty20 and two Tests in England before taking on their hosts in four Tests, two Twenty20 and five one-day games.
Waqar also said focus and unity would be the keys that would help the team to reach success.
We are starting a hectic period with the Asia Cup but I think the England tour is very important for the team, where we need to adopt a rotation policy and I think some new players will come into the fray, Waqar told mediapersons here.
The former fast bowler, who took over as coach in March following Pakistans disastrous tour of Australia where the team lost all three Tests, five one-day and the one-off Twenty20 match. Just after taking over his post, Pakistan, under him made the semi-final of the World Twenty20 last month.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has named a 35-man preliminary squad for the Asia Cup and tour of England, including a number of newcomers. A final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced later today.
I think the objective behind naming a number of youngsters is to encourage them and it is important that players be rotated because we have a series against South Africa in October-November this year as well, said Waqar.
Waqar also backed maverick all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was last week appointed as the captain for the Asia Cup and tour of England.
Afridi has not led Pakistan in Tests before,” said Waqar. But he conducted himself well in the World Twenty20 and unity and fighting spirit would be the key to success and he can achieve both from the team.” The 40-year-old, however, made it clear that senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf cannot be forced out of retirement.
Yousuf seems to be adamant on his retirement and although we need him for Tests, we cannot force him out of retirement,” said Waqar.
Yousuf was one of seven players banned and fined by an inquiry committee appointed by PCB to enquire on Pakistans tour Down Under in March. He retired in protest while the other six players have appealed against the sanctions.
Former skipper Shoaib Malik, one of the penalised players, had been lucky to have overturned his one-year ban last week and is now free to play for Pakistan.
However, appeals against former captain Younis Khans indefinite ban and a one-year ban on pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, including fines on Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal are pending.
——Agencies