We have played poor cricket and we need to sort that out: Waqar Younis
Terming the ODI series loss to Bangladesh as a big hurt and a huge disappointment, Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has admitted that there are many problem areas that the team needs to sort out.
“I agree with what the critics are saying about our cricket. There are many problem areas but now we have to be patient and wait for things to turn around,” Waqar said in an interview to Geo News channel in Dhaka.
The former fast bowler said that there was no turning back for Pakistan cricket now.
“We have new players and we are building a new team now under a new captain, so everyone will have to be patient. It is not going to be easy but going back will only hurt our cricket more,” he said.
Waqar has come under fire after Pakistan lost their first ODI to Bangladesh in 16 years and then slumped to their first ODI series defeat. Bangladesh have already won the three-match ODI series after winning the first two games.
The defeat has immensely upset Pakistani cricket fans and former players, given the history between the two countries.
“Look we have been playing the same sort of cricket for years now and we need to change the way we play our cricket. Our cricketing style is very defensive and it will take us time to get free from this mindset,” he said.
Stating the fitness problems that the players are facing is because they have not tried to match the fitness standards of other teams, Waqar said “now the players are finding it difficult and taking time to adjust to new training regime”.
“It is never going to be easy but if we want to move ahead then fitness has to be our first priority and we can’t compromise on that.”
The coach said Bangladesh had surprised Pakistan with the way they had played the two ODI matches.
“They have improve a lot their attitude and approach to ODI cricket and we must give them credit where it is due. But our team has just played poor cricket and we need to sort that out,” said Waqar.
Pacemen Sohail Khan, Ehsan Adil, leg-spinner Yasir Shah and middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood were ruled out due to injuries for the series against Bangladesh. Earlier, the team was hit by fitness issues before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, resulting in the non-availability of seasoned players like Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Hafeez.
Pakistan is scheduled to play the third and the final ODI against Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. The ODI series will be followed by a Twenty20
International and two Tests.
