Lahore, December 11: Newly-appointed bowling and fielding coach Waqar Younus feels that Pakistan have enough potential to beat Australia in their own backyard in the upcoming Test series starting December 26..
”I believe we have a team that is capable of beating Australia in the Tests. Australia are definitely beatable at the moment but this will take a lot of hard work and commitment from our players,” Waqar said. ”Our bowling is fine, but it is the fielding department, where we are weak and need to show lot of improvement.
That is something I want to work on very closely with the players,” Waqar was qouted as saying by The Dawn. Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in Australia. The 38-year-old former pacer also went on to add that Pakistan have a worldclass pace attack in the form of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir and Umar Gul and is capable of taming the strong Aussie batting line-up.
The former skipper said he was excited by the role given to him for the tour of Australia. ”Presently my assignment is only for the Australian tour after which I will sit down with the board officials and discuss my future plans with them,” Waqar said. Waqar, however, feels that Pakistan would certainly going to miss the services of former captain Younis Khan in Australia. ”He has a great record in Australia and his experience and batting skills are invaluable. But we have to manage without him now,” he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Waqar as bowling and fielding coach following Pakistan’s dismal performance on the field in the ongoing three match Test series against New Zealand. Waqar, presently working as a commentator in New Zealand has agreed to the proposal of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to assist the national side and will join the team before the first Test begins in Melbourne.
The 40-year-old Waqar, who has 373-Test and 416-ODI wickets to his credit, had a brief stint as bowling coach with Pakistan two years ago but resigned after differences with the national board over his working nature.
——Agencies