"Bowlers perform better in their home conditions as compared to overseas" : Waqar Younis

[MenInG]

Pakistan scripted a stunning victory in the two-match home Test series against South Africa as they clean-sweeped the visitors by 2-0. However, they have failed to replicate the same performance in the overseas conditions in the recent past. They had succumbed to a humiliating defeat against Australia by 0-2 followed by a 0-1 defeat against England and 0-2 against New Zealand.

Speaking about the difference in the performance of the bowlers in home and overseas conditions, Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis reckoned that their pacers are used to bowling in home conditions and feel comfortable while playing at home. Younis is confident that the players will show improvement and will perform better in overseas tours too.

“You have to bowl differently in different conditions. Since our pacers are used to bowling in home conditions, they know how to bowl in home pitches. This is not just the case with Pakistan bowlers, but bowlers all around the world perform better in their home conditions as compared to overseas. When our pacers play at home, they feel comfortable and they know how to use the conditions,” said Waqar while speaking to reporters in an online interaction on Wednesday.

“In the past, we have done well in England and have also beaten New Zealand comprehensively a decade ago. Hopefully, when we will tour overseas in future, our performances will be far better,” he added.

Pakistan is scheduled to feature in a three-match T20I series against South Africa. However, the management is yet to take a call on which player will play how many matches as PCB is working towards managing the workload of all the players. The cricket board needs to give proper rest to the players as after the South Africa series, they will play in the PSL followed by other international outings.

“All our medical panels and trainers are keeping a close eye on Shaheen’s workload. Since PSL is coming up next and franchises want their main players to play all matches, so we will have to make a call regarding how many matches he will play against South Africa.

“Plus, there is a lot of international cricket coming up after PSL as well, so we are considering all options, but no final decision has been made regarding which bowler will play how many matches. The good thing is that we have a big pool of fast bowlers, so we can rotate them as well,” Younis concluded.


==

More quotes:

"Look this is a performance based sport - When you do well you, you are appreciated for it but when you do badly you have to face scrutiny as well"

"All things are good when there is clear communication lines between board and the teams; This is my 4th association with the Pakistan side and there are my critics and that's a good thing because its helps us improve"

"But if there is unconstructive criticism, then that sort of thing is meaningless for me because I have been doing this job for a long time and have a lot of experience, and I know how this whole thing is done"

"The PCB have given us 3 year contracts based on some thought and there should be questioning for us all the time; In fact, I would say that just like after the tour of New Zealand we were called in by the Cricket Committee, this process should be made a regular item so that both parties can communicate about where we stand; So it should not be the case that this should happen when we lose, but we should also sit together after a win also to see what we did well so that we can improve ourselves further"

"Not only fast bowlers but workload management is now essential for all players in these Covid-19 times when players have to move from one biosecure bubble to another constantly and also spend time in quarantine."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waqar Younis "I am hopeful now since we have started playing at home, you will see the current crop of Pakistani fast bowlers having lengthy & successful careers. Most bowlers do well in their home conditions & I feel they are more comfortable bowling at home" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1359563321758875655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waqar Younis "Hats off to the way Hassan Ali has come back from injury & performed. From my own experience of injury during 1992 World Cup - it really hurts. It's like the end of the world as you've seen such highs & then you see absolutely nothing, it's very, very hard" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/lB9IgtG0EU">pic.twitter.com/lB9IgtG0EU</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1359565300312797184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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[Mamoon]

So why does PCB need to pay you? Since our bowlers already know how to bowl at home and they are experienced in these conditions, what are you here for?

This allows leads to another question. Everyone was bashing Waqar when the overrated Naseem got humiliated in England and New Zealand and the likes of Abbas and Shaheen also failed, but now that our pacers did well at home vs South Africa, do we praise Waqar or not?

So Waqar gets blamed for the poor showing overseas and the bowlers get praised for the good showing at home?

 

[Hasan123]

Don't like this mentality. It's basically saying when things don't go our way we don't know what to do and we aren't accountable for our performance because we don't know the conditions.

 

[Pakhs]

What is you job then? So far we have not seen any innovative plans to counter this inexperience from him? Its his job to tell the bowlers what to do and suggest fielding positions and firm up plans on how to bowl to particular batsmen.

 

[Pakhs]

So why does PCB need to pay you? Since our bowlers already know how to bowl at home and they are experienced in these conditions, what are you here for?

This allows leads to another question. Everyone was bashing Waqar when the overrated Naseem got humiliated in England and New Zealand and the likes of Abbas and Shaheen also failed, but now that our pacers did well at home vs South Africa, do we praise Waqar or not?

So Waqar gets blamed for the poor showing overseas and the bowlers get praised for the good showing at home?

He himself is suggesting this... what bit you are struggling with int he post above?

 

[Kroll]

Ah okay, now the other half of the axis of incompetence out spouting excuses due to their catastrophic handling of the overseas tours.

Can't wait to see the back of the shameless MisWaq pairing.

 

[Mamoon]

He himself is suggesting this... what bit you are struggling with int he post above?

I don’t think I am the one who is struggling. Perhaps you are. You didn’t understand the motive of my post and where I am going with this.

 

[Markhor]

Well that's where you're meant to come in Waqar having toured these countries before.

Even accounting for that, England and New Zealand are more bowler friendly than Pakistan, and we've played a lot of cricket in England in last 5 years so it shouldn't be alien to us.

Despite not being some legendary figure, Bharat Arun is a much better bowling coach because he plans and prepares for every batsman and every situation.

 

[Pakhs]

I don’t think I am the one who is struggling. Perhaps you are. You didn’t understand the motive of my post and where I am going with this.

I know exactly where you going..

 

[Titan24]

Yes bowlers prefer home conditions but, I dont think many good home bowling attacks have struggled as much as we did with our horrendous bowling performances especially in Aus and in NZ as well.

So definitely something which needs to improve and cant be brushed under the carpet based upon the premises that other teams also struggle in overseas conditions when our struggles are clearly more than the top teams. Considering the head coach aim of being the no 1 side, this aspect of overseas bowling has to be better than other sides rather than worse.

 

[Titan24]

“All our medical panels and trainers are keeping a close eye on Shaheen’s workload. Since PSL is coming up next and franchises want their main players to play all matches, so we will have to make a call regarding how many matches he will play against South Africa.

“Plus, there is a lot of international cricket coming up after PSL as well, so we are considering all options, but no final decision has been made regarding which bowler will play how many matches. The good thing is that we have a big pool of fast bowlers, so we can rotate them as well,” Younis concluded.

Unless there is a series decider on the line or Pak really struggles from the very first match, I think there is no point in playing Shaheen. I would rest even Hassan as well who is coming of a long FC season and two back to back tests. Haris, Hasnain should take the responsibility and Amad, Faheem along with Yamin are decent support as well in the fast bowling department.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Unless there is a series decider on the line or Pak really struggles from the very first match, I think there is no point in playing Shaheen. I would rest even Hassan as well who is coming of a long FC season and two back to back tests. Haris, Hasnain should take the responsibility and Amad, Faheem along with Yamin are decent support as well in the fast bowling department.

I agree, Hasnain, Haris, and Amad should be our quicks for the first two games. Faheem can be a supporting quick bowler, and our spinner should either be Usman Qadir or Zafar Gohar, either one will be good.

Zafar brings that value with the bat, but Usman has variations and is more likely to take wickets. I'd personally go with Usman, but Zafar can be bowled in the Powerplay as well, so it will be an interesting choice.

 

[andy0204]

5 times you have been appointed as a coach yet you have this kind of mentality.

 

[JibranAnsari]

really sad that he is out bowling coach.

 

[hitthestump]

+

This allows leads to another question. Everyone was bashing Waqar when the overrated Naseem got humiliated in England and New Zealand and the likes of Abbas and Shaheen also failed, but now that our pacers did well at home vs South Africa, do we praise Waqar or not?

So Waqar gets blamed for the poor showing overseas and the bowlers get praised for the good showing at home?

Waqar doesn't get any credit for how Hasan bowled. Hasan performed on these pitches in domestics and has had no time with Waqar.

Shaheen was all set for another flop series until the final innings of the test. Luckily he managed to snag two tail enders to get his series average to a serviceable level. A test average of 48 since Mar 2020 tells the whole story a bit better though, and says plenty about Waqar's supposed ability to turn him into a "world beater within 2 years".

 

[Mamoon]

Waqar doesn't get any credit for how Hasan bowled. Hasan performed on these pitches in domestics and has had no time with Waqar.

Shaheen was all set for another flop series until the final innings of the test. Luckily he managed to snag two tail enders to get his series average to a serviceable level. A test average of 48 since Mar 2020 tells the whole story a bit better though, and says plenty about Waqar's supposed ability to turn him into a "world beater within 2 years".

If Hassan flops overseas, people will say he got Waqar’d like Naseem.

It is quite an interesting situation because Waqar is not only a certified failure, he is also not going to get credit any when Pakistani bowlers do well, but he will certainly cop criticism when they fail.

Waqar knows this as well. He has been the Pakistan coach a dozen times and he knows the system inside out. He is also on social media and he knows what the fans think about his coaching credentials.

Nothing has changed under this so-called professional setup of Wasim and Mani. Waqar is here to collect his paycheck like he has a dozen times before, and he will be back in 2-3 years for another stint after getting sacked for the billionth time.

In summary:

1. Waqar knows he is not a good coach and knows he cannot improve Pakistan’s bowling. They will do well against weak lineups and fail against quality lineups. There is nothing he can do about it.

2. Waqar knows what the fans think about his coaching.

3. Waqar knows he is here to mint PCB, and he will continue to do that for as long as he is alive because he is Waqar Younis and his glittering playing career is enough for him to con PCB into giving him a job.

 

[shaz619]

If Hassan flops overseas, people will say he got Waqar’d like Naseem.

It is quite an interesting situation because Waqar is not only a certified failure, he is also not going to get credit any when Pakistani bowlers do well, but he will certainly cop criticism when they fail.

Waqar knows this as well. He has been the Pakistan coach a dozen times and he knows the system inside out. He is also on social media and he knows what the fans think about his coaching credentials.

Nothing has changed under this so-called professional setup of Wasim and Mani. Waqar is here to collect his paycheck like he has a dozen times before, and he will be back in 2-3 years for another stint after getting sacked for the billionth time.

In summary:

1. Waqar knows he is not a good coach and knows he cannot improve Pakistan’s bowling. They will do well against weak lineups and fail against quality lineups. There is nothing he can do about it.

2. Waqar knows what the fans think about his coaching.

3. Waqar knows he is here to mint PCB, and he will continue to do that for as long as he is alive because he is Waqar Younis and his glittering playing career is enough for him to con PCB into giving him a job.

Wasn’t this SA side expected to blow Pakistan away though in your own words ?

 

[Mamoon]

Wasn’t this SA side expected to blow Pakistan away though in your own words ?

I don’t think I said that, but they should be disappointed that they didn’t.

Pakistan is a deeply mediocre team with no talent. South Africa is out of sorts at the moment but they still have enough quality to beat Pakistan in any conditions except rank-turners, because that is where Yasir would become unbeatable.

But South Africa were not prepared. They had no tactics and no leadership because their captain was completely disinterested in the job and it affected his own performance as well.

It was one of the worst Test series I have ever watched, and I have never seen a series-winning side play such poor and average cricket.

South Africa allowed a terrible Pakistan team to walk over them.

Pakistan had no openers, the number 3 had one fifty, the number 4 and the supposedly best batsman in the country looked like a rookie, the number 5 scored one hundred and nothing else, the number 6 had only one hundred and the number 7 had a few cameos but no big innings.

The bowling was poor as well. Hassan was a flop in Karachi and took wickets in Rawalpindi but was going at an ODI run rate, Shaheen had only one one threatening spell, Yasir was just about decent and Nauman was reasonable but he looks like someone who will be out of gas in 12-15 months time.

Pakistan played very average cricket and did not look like a strong team even at home. However, they were playing against a side that had no team chemistry and was being led by a disinterested captain who appeared to have accepted the job at gun point.

It was a shambles of a series. A complete waste of time.

 

[Yk313]

Well that's where you're meant to come in Waqar having toured these countries before.

Even accounting for that, England and New Zealand are more bowler friendly than Pakistan, and we've played a lot of cricket in England in last 5 years so it shouldn't be alien to us.

Despite not being some legendary figure, Bharat Arun is a much better bowling coach because he plans and prepares for every batsman and every situation.

Slightly tangential as I know your point is about Waqar’s inadequacies as a coach but You don’t need to be a ‘legendary’ figure to be a good coach. Bharat Arun and others are more in line with the traditional line of reasoning behind hiring coaches. Not Javed, Younus, Misbah, Waqar, Miandad, Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Maradona et cetera.

‘Super coaches’ do not really work any better than more dedicated/system-driven coaches/trainers. This isn’t just limited to cricket either.

The skillset from player to coach is not really transferable with languid fluidity. Most past players will likely have no better shot at making a ‘successful’ coach than will a more trained person.

I wouldn’t want, say Steve Smith, coaching international players on batting technique in terms of replicating his style. Doesn’t matter if it fetched him all these runs. Nor will he even attempt to do so, should he be in a ‘coaching’ related position.

As a coach at this level, it is mostly about one, telling players that they need to get from A to B (i.e. negating swing/spin/bounce) and letting players decide how they will ‘execute’ using their own style/tools to do that, and two, to align high-level game strategy in tandem with other coaches/strategists.

Teaching an international pro in squash how to play the rail, a tennis player a volley, a hockey player a drag flick, a cricketer a defensive stroke are is not the job. You get the point.

They can be good for providing that high level mentoring though, from their own experiences of competing at the highest level, especially when the going gets tough. That’s about it really. Most of the other visible changes are for the off-season.

Arguably, the mentoring is the thing most required at this level but there needs to be enough ability for it to be garnished.

Anyone looking to ‘actually teach’ fundamentals of execution in cricket and blooding the temperament of younger players should aim no higher than U-19. Preferably, U-16 or below.

No comments about Waqar specifically. I have seen this story too many times to remain interested in this again. He will be let go and will be back; the innuendo now starting to the title of one of my favourite movies, ‘Back to the Future’. Only it’s Waqar instead.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Another Axellant view point from Waqar. One question to Pak Fans: Why is this guy your coach ? the guy is clearly not cut out for this kind of work....

 

[Shafi]

Ah okay, now the other half of the axis of incompetence out spouting excuses due to their catastrophic handling of the overseas tours.

Can't wait to see the back of the shameless MisWaq pairing.

At least 2 more years if not more. Misbah and Waqar are not going anywhere soon.

 

[Shafi]

If Hassan flops overseas, people will say he got Waqar’d like Naseem.

It is quite an interesting situation because Waqar is not only a certified failure, he is also not going to get credit any when Pakistani bowlers do well, but he will certainly cop criticism when they fail.

Waqar knows this as well. He has been the Pakistan coach a dozen times and he knows the system inside out. He is also on social media and he knows what the fans think about his coaching credentials.

Nothing has changed under this so-called professional setup of Wasim and Mani. Waqar is here to collect his paycheck like he has a dozen times before, and he will be back in 2-3 years for another stint after getting sacked for the billionth time.

In summary:

1. Waqar knows he is not a good coach and knows he cannot improve Pakistan’s bowling. They will do well against weak lineups and fail against quality lineups. There is nothing he can do about it.

2. Waqar knows what the fans think about his coaching.

3. Waqar knows he is here to mint PCB, and he will continue to do that for as long as he is alive because he is Waqar Younis and his glittering playing career is enough for him to con PCB into giving him a job.

Waqar doesn't have ability to teach others like Bharat Arun (didn't have a cricket career as a bowler but he is more intelligent than Waqar). As a fast bowler I never rate him that great. He would be worse than Hasan Ali had he played in these flat pitches and his career would be over in 5 years will less than 100 wickets.

 

[Mamoon]

Waqar doesn't have ability to teach others like Bharat Arun (didn't have a cricket career as a bowler but he is more intelligent than Waqar). As a fast bowler I never rate him that great. He would be worse than Hasan Ali had he played in these flat pitches and his career would be over in 5 years will less than 100 wickets.

I agree, he was an overrated bowler who benefited tremendously from bowling with doctored balls. He was nowhere near Wasim and Imran.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Waqar doesn't have ability to teach others like Bharat Arun (didn't have a cricket career as a bowler but he is more intelligent than Waqar). As a fast bowler I never rate him that great. He would be worse than Hasan Ali had he played in these flat pitches and his career would be over in 5 years will less than 100 wickets.

Regardless of Waqar's prowess as a bowling coach, he is one of the most revered fast bowlers in cricketing history. You, I or this clown above me are nobodies to disregard the achievements of a cricketing legend like you have. Have some respect, don't let the bias cloud your judgment. No one here likes Waqar as a bowling coach, but his achievements are something we are all proud of as Pakistanis.

 

[NoBallZombie]

Regardless of Waqar's prowess as a bowling coach, he is one of the most revered fast bowlers in cricketing history. You, I or this clown above me are nobodies to disregard the achievements of a cricketing legend like you have. Have some respect, don't let the bias cloud your judgment. No one here likes Waqar as a bowling coach, but his achievements are something we are all proud of as Pakistanis.

Oh man, I was about the write something similar and saw your comment here.

Totally agree, not sure what people have got with Waqar to not rate him. To downplay someone’s achievement when they wreaked havoc to some of the greatest batsmen of that era ,is as weird as it gets. He was definitely someone who was revered by many and if there had been no politics by mr wasim, there is a school of thought that he may have ended with more wickets than the left armer.

It does not mean that he would automatically be a great coach, he may not understand why or how things worked for him but they just did and he made full use of them.... if he doctored the ball, no one stopped others to do the same and I have never seen any other bowler get the kind of reverse he used to get!

 

[observer1]

I don’t think I am the one who is struggling. Perhaps you are. You didn’t understand the motive of my post and where I am going with this.

We all understand the "motives" of your post.

Waqar is making a valid off hand comment. I wouldn't read too into it.

 

[observer1]

I agree, he was an overrated bowler who benefited tremendously from bowling with doctored balls. He was nowhere near Wasim and Imran.

To call one of the most gifted and talented bowlers Pakistan and Cricket has produced "overrated" is absolutely ridiculous.

Did he refuse you an autograph or something?

 

[Kroll]

At least 2 more years if not more. Misbah and Waqar are not going anywhere soon.

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[MenInG]

Dont know if its Waqar or not but our pacers look aweful nowadays in T20s!

 

[Shafi]

Dont know if its Waqar or not but our pacers look aweful nowadays in T20s!

As an employer PCB should change/replace the coaches if they think our players are not performing/improving. Most likely PCB doesn't really concern about performance and eager to be top cricket nation. They are happy to have fake unpredictable tag and use this as a excuse to be complacent few wins here and there against top teams.

 

[MenInG]

Waqar made some excuses but wonder if excuses ready for our visit to SA in April.

 

[Shafi]

Waqar made some excuses but wonder if excuses ready for our visit to SA in April.

PCB should just get rid of him. This guy is not suit for any coaching role. Wait until PSL is over. Till then just look for professional bowling coach.

 

[Shafi]

Waqar made some excuses but wonder if excuses ready for our visit to SA in April.

Link please!!!!

 

[MenInG]

Link please!!!!

His comments in post #1

==

So Pakistan fast-bowlers being taken to the cleaners - exactly what work is being done to make them effective at home

 

[hitthestump]

I have one question which is what Waqar has to do to actually get fired?

What is the criteria for his retainment? Is it that as long as Shaheen manages to remain somewhat relevant he's forgiven for the failings of literally every other bowler?

 

[Hasan123]

They didn’t perform today. What’s his excuse now?

 

[Mamoon]

I have one question which is what Waqar has to do to actually get fired?

What is the criteria for his retainment? Is it that as long as Shaheen manages to remain somewhat relevant he's forgiven for the failings of literally every other bowler?

Waqar is never fired from PCB. He just take a 2 year break every now and then before resuming his duties.

He must have made a world record of having the most coaching stints with one team. He has been an ever present figure since 2006.

He knows he will continue to mint PCB for as long as he is alive.

 

[wrongun]

Waqar could say anything and still get criticised on PP no matter what he said.

Stating that bowlers usually perform better in their home conditions is literally the most obvious & least controversial statement in the history of coaching statements. But I guess any excuse to run an agenda against him

In the entire history of Pakistan cricket how many fast bowlers have ever come back from a back injury? One? Two? He's had Hasan come back & be succesful on his watch.

Shaheen has survived a nightmare scenario of being expected to be basically the entire fast bowling attack all on his own at the age of 19. He's come through what would break most young bowlers with speed intact, decent figures & great discipline in line/length. Most of that without a single decent bowling partner. Maybe, just maybe he had some good advice on the way?

I guess he still doesn't have a reliable inswinger- so Waqar will get criticised for not having a 20 year old be the absolute complete perfect fast bowler just yet.

 

[hitthestump]

In the entire history of Pakistan cricket how many fast bowlers have ever come back from a back injury? One? Two? He's had Hasan come back & be succesful on his watch.

Shaheen has survived a nightmare scenario of being expected to be basically the entire fast bowling attack all on his own at the age of 19. He's come through what would break most young bowlers with speed intact, decent figures & great discipline in line/length. Most of that without a single decent bowling partner. Maybe, just maybe he had some good advice on the way?

Hasan has not done this on Waqar's watch. He came back from his injury then performed extremely well on home pitches in a domestic season which just finished. He has had no time with Waqar for any of this.

How have the once imperious Abbas and the teenage sensation Naseem done on Waqar's watch? How have the bench bowlers Rauf, Hasnain and Musa progressed? The answer is that all 5 have flopped majestically and only Rauf remains selected whilst hanging on by a thread.

Now let's finish with Shaheen. He started off his career solidly but his updated stats don't lie. He averages 48 in tests since March '20. Maybe, just maybe he hasn't fulfilled expectations the way people sometimes think he has irrespective of whether he has an inswinger or not.

Overall the idea of there being an agenda against Waqar is laughable. The guy has failed in every single coaching stint he's had with Pakistan. What makes you think anything has changed this time around?