Rangeela
International Coach
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2003
- Online Cricket Games Owned
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Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, 32, will announce his retirement later this week.
He has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to arrange a press conference, and Rameez Raja, the board's chief executive, revealed that it was to make the announcement. "He called us up and told us he'd decided to call it quits," Rameez said. "He asked us to organise something for him at the end of the ongoing second Test in Lahore."
The news comes in the wake of reports that Waqar is being considered by the PCB as the team's bowling coach. It is also believed that his decision was hastened by the fact he was overlooked for the current series against India.
Waqar was sacked as captain after Pakistan's poor performance in the 2003 World Cup, and with the board opting to bring in youngsters, he was unable to force his way back into the side. But he will be remembered as one of Pakistan's greatest fast bowlers, and in 87 Tests he took 373 wickets at 23.50. He also played 262 one-day internationals, taking 416 wickets.
In his youth, he was one of the fastest ever. Waqar's surging run was a glorious sight - and an incredible strain on his body. His method of aiming for the stumps rather than the batsman earned him the best strike rate of any bowler with over 200 Test wickets. It could have been better: back injuries cut short his prime, but determination has always resurrected him, although he was easily pushed over the line that divides aggression and intimidation.
He looked to have been put out to pasture by the end of 2000, but before long he had been appointed captain for the 2001 tour to England. Initial results suggested that this was an inspired move, but in October 2002 he was at the helm as Pakistan crumbled to 59 and 53 all out against Australia in Sharjah. He managed to retain the job for the World Cup, but a disastrous tournament ? Pakistan beat only Holland and Namibia ? meant an unceremonious exit.
He had three spells in English county cricket, playing for Surrey, Glamorgan and Warwickshire.
? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
He has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to arrange a press conference, and Rameez Raja, the board's chief executive, revealed that it was to make the announcement. "He called us up and told us he'd decided to call it quits," Rameez said. "He asked us to organise something for him at the end of the ongoing second Test in Lahore."
The news comes in the wake of reports that Waqar is being considered by the PCB as the team's bowling coach. It is also believed that his decision was hastened by the fact he was overlooked for the current series against India.
Waqar was sacked as captain after Pakistan's poor performance in the 2003 World Cup, and with the board opting to bring in youngsters, he was unable to force his way back into the side. But he will be remembered as one of Pakistan's greatest fast bowlers, and in 87 Tests he took 373 wickets at 23.50. He also played 262 one-day internationals, taking 416 wickets.
In his youth, he was one of the fastest ever. Waqar's surging run was a glorious sight - and an incredible strain on his body. His method of aiming for the stumps rather than the batsman earned him the best strike rate of any bowler with over 200 Test wickets. It could have been better: back injuries cut short his prime, but determination has always resurrected him, although he was easily pushed over the line that divides aggression and intimidation.
He looked to have been put out to pasture by the end of 2000, but before long he had been appointed captain for the 2001 tour to England. Initial results suggested that this was an inspired move, but in October 2002 he was at the helm as Pakistan crumbled to 59 and 53 all out against Australia in Sharjah. He managed to retain the job for the World Cup, but a disastrous tournament ? Pakistan beat only Holland and Namibia ? meant an unceremonious exit.
He had three spells in English county cricket, playing for Surrey, Glamorgan and Warwickshire.
? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
