Waqar Younis appointed as Pakistan head coach

Waqar Younis

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis has been appointed as the head coach of Pakistan cricket team for a two-year period starting from June 2014.

Following Dav Whatmore’s exit in February, ex-national wicket-keeper Moin Khan took over as the coach and was in charge of the team till the World Cup T20 2014. Despite starting as the favourites for Asia Cup 2014 and the World T20, they were unable to achieve anything of significance, which could have played a role in the non-extension of his contract.

On his appointment, Younis said: “I am extremely pleased to have been selected as the head coach. My immediate aim would be to prepare the team for the upcoming busy cricket season including the next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.”

His first task will be to prepare his team for a home series against Australia at the United Arab Emirates in October.

Younis enjoyed a short successful stint with the team as the head coach previously during the period 2010-2011, taking his team to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup. Earlier he had worked as the bowling coach of Pakistan in 2006-07. Together with Wasim Akram, Waqar formed one of the deadliest fast bowling pairs of all time. He has taken a total of 789 wickets in Tests and ODIs.