As Wasim gradually lost pace through injury and diabetes - he could still fall back on superior new ball skills, superb control of conventional swing whereas Waqar without his two card trick wasn't even first choice by 1999 World Cup. Infact it's an insult to Wasim to refer to the "2 Ws" when Waqar's record against the top team of his era (Australia) was mediocre compared to Wasim's.
To be fair as batsmen learned how to face reverse swing, Waqar did develop new ball skills as demonstrated in the 2001 Natwest Series. But he was a shadow of himself then. Now you're arguing that doesn't detract from his overall record, we should judge him when at peak pace in early 90s etc. Well I'm sorry but you assess a cricketer over their whole career including how they handle their physical limitations with age, not cherrypick their best years.
You should be thankful that TV coverage and camera angles wasn't comprehensive as today's era otherwise Waqar would've been busted many more times aside from the 2000 Sri Lanka tour. What's worse is still lying about it. When asked in a Sky interview when coaching Pakistan for the second time, he denied ever scratching the ball when asked pointblank ! By the way this is the same Waqar who told Justice Qayyum he never even heard of matchfixing so let's don't hold him as a paragon of integrity. This is a role model for youngsters to follow ?
To be clear, I've no issues with legitimately obtained reverse swing nor am I arguing Waqar isn't a Pakistan legend (though not in same class as Imran or Wasim). Yes reverse swing requires pace and a slingy action which prime Waqar had - but you need to get the ball in condition first - and the methods Waqar used weren't always legitimate. That's why I believe, and people are entitled to disagree, he wouldn't have induced the crazy collapses in today's era that he did back then. He would've also most likely struggled in 50 over cricket with two new balls which has nearly eliminated reverse, which is why we should stop living in the 1990s and relying on the same old tricks.
Hold on a minute, you are comparing Waqar with Wasim. Universally recognised as the most skilful bowler ever! Ive never ever said Waqar was a better bowler than Wasim - theres no secret to it. Everyone knows it. But even with Wasim, I dont have the stats, so some nerd look them up please, but I bet his strike rate was higher from 1989-1996 when he was at his fastest than at the end of his career and even earlier in his career when he hadnt quite reached top pace. But overall I agree, without pace Wasim was much more effective. As I said before theres nothing earth shattering about that. Wasim is a Pakistani legend Im proud of him. Same with Waqar and Shoaib.
You say Waqar learned new tricks when people learned to play reverse swing. It wasnt because reverse swing was less effective, Waqar was less effective because his pace dropped. If he had the same pace, he would have had similar results. Some top order players may have improved vs reverse but the lower middle order and tail would have folded just the same.
You guys make out the 90s were in black n white with a solitary camera on the pitch. The late 80s and 90s were a very innovative time in sporting and cricketing footage. If you wanted to zoom in on someone scratching the ball, you could easily do it in those days . There were enough cameras. Technology has obviously improved to identify certain things these days E.g a dodgy action, or a bit clearer in super slo mo to detect edges, bat-pads, revs on the ball for spinners, wrist positions. Figuring out someone is scratching the ball doesnt require that level of technology!
Youre argument about getting the ball in to the condition is misplaced. The ball still gets in to that condition, bowlers who were scratching the ball (not just Pakistanis mind you for all the self loathers) just tried to accelerate that process. So some teams might have been bowled out for 200 instead of 150. Same result really. Today the ball started reversing after 10 overs! Once it gets to that state you dont need to do anything to it.
Waqar was a bit of a one trick pony - no problem. That one trick got him a boat load of wickets and Pakistan a lot of victories .
That one trick made him one of the most destructive bowlers ever. Even after his decline that you boast about, he still has one of the best strike rates ever!
That one trick is what made a match out of the dead 2nd test in Karachi last week
That one trick is what gave Pakistan their best bowling performance of the series yesterday and today.
Bowlers and teams the world over are still trying to master that one trick.
How I wish we had a one trick pony now.
Its not about living in the past. Look to improve, learn new tricks, become better bowlers than Waqar, but dont be ashamed or ignore that skill. Weve spent the last decade without it and it shows in how our fast bowlers have fared.
Today was encouraging and also the series vs South Africa last year.
