Waqar Younis Steps Down as Pakistan Coach

Waqar Younis quit his role as Pakistan coach only a day after Shahid Afridi stepped down as T20 captain.

Waqar Younis addresses a news conference in Lahore announcing his resignation. (Photo: AP)

A day after Shahid Afridi stepped down as the captain of Pakistan’s T20 team, under-fire head coach, Waqar Younis resigned from his position alleging that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not pay any heed to his recommendations, as a result of which the team was not “moving forward”.

In the recently-concluded World T20, Pakistan lost to India, New Zealand and Australia and managed just one win against Bangladesh.

I am resigning from my post with a heavy heart. I have done it because of the failure of the cricket board to take my recommendations seriously after the 2015 World Cup. I have resigned because I am disappointed that the team has not moved forward since the last World Cup.

Waqar Younis

He also added that he resigned despite having three months of his contract remaining with the team.

Waqar has been engaged in a war of words since the team returned from India. The former fast bowler also blasted the cricket authorities for the leaking his confidential report, submitted to the PCB chairman on the team’s performance.

The leak of a confidential report after the World T20 also influenced my decision. Ultimately, I want the betterment of Pakistan cricket and it is only right to walk away. I will, however, be available to help Pakistan in anyway.

Waqar Younis

Furthermore, the 44-year-old wants his recommendations to be implemented by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“I want my recommendations to be implemented. They were not acted on when I first made them in 2015,” he said.

Waqar walked away from his first spell as a coach in 2011 due to personal reasons and was re-appointed in 2014 for a second stint by the PCB. He enjoyed considerable success in Test cricket and took the team to the second position last year but the team’s performance in ODIs and T20 cricket was dismal.

The PCB on the other hand is said to be considering several candidates to replace Waqar but an insider in the PCB said a proper process would now be followed to appoint the new coach since Pakistan’s next international assignment is in July when they tour England.

There is no hurry this time and we will take time before reaching a decision. The post will be advertised and foreign and local applicants will be invited to apply for the post.

PCB Official 

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Shahid Afridi Steps Down as Pak T20 Captain, Will Continue to Play