Former Pakistan speedster and a two time head of Pakistan national cricket team, Waqar Younis has been elected as the bowling coach and Director of Islamad United, a franchise in the Pakistan Super League. Waqar’s one-time bowling partner Wasim Akram was the former director of the Islamabad United franchise.
Islamabad United Owner Ali Naqvi and captain Misbah-ul-Haq made the announcement.
“For any captain who is a batsman, it is advantageous to have a coach who is a great bowler, someone he can trust and who commands respect both with the local players and the foreign players. Having worked with Waqar bhai before, I think his appointment is a great one for Islamabad United, and one that will benefit our bowlers and our dressing room greatly,” Misbah was quoted by ANI.
Waqar who was also present at the press conference also voiced the same opinion of Misbah.
“Misbah and I relied on and helped each other out in the lowest of times for Pakistan cricket. Having been through the experience we had from 2010 to 2012 is something that will always be with me, so it feels great to be reunited with someone I have worked with so much over the past seven years.
“When I used to see PSL from the outside, Islamabad United seemed like a family to me and I am thrilled to be a part of it. We all want the PSL to come back to Pakistan and we are on the right track,” Waqar added.
It will be the first time Waqar will be in charge of a PSL team, but he has experience of coaching Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League in 2013 and in that season the Sunrisers had the best economy rate that year.
The owner of Islamabad Naqvi said that they don’t have any issues with Akram what so ever.
“Wasim Akram was a great teacher for our bowlers. There were no issues with him. We are thankful for his services. Wasim worked with Rumman Raees and taught him swing. Now we have Waqar Younis who will teach him toe-crushers.”
“I think in Waqar we have found the ideal man for this role. Not only does he have years of coaching experience with the national team – both as a bowling coach and a head coach – but a lot of his success has been with many of our current players, especially Misbah.
“Furthermore, as a team that believes in numbers, the fact that along with his great numbers with the national team, in his lone IPL season, with the Hyderabad team, his team finished with the best bowling numbers in the tournament provided enough evidence for us to go after him.”