Much was expected from the Pakistan cricket team as they toured Australia last year for a T20I and Test series. After losing the 3-match T20I series, not much change in fortunes was witnessed as the tourists were swept 2-0 in the Tests too. Revealing one of the factors behind the team’s loss in the longest format Down Under, bowling coach Waqar Younis said that it was the absence of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz – who both had quit the Test format right before the series – that cost Pakistan.
“Just before the Australia series, they ditched us and we had the only choice to pick youngsters,” he pointed out. “It’s not like we have lost a lot, but yes they left us at the wrong time. But anyway, we don’t have any grudge against them. I still feel they have a lot to contribute in white-ball cricket and they should carry on playing for Pakistan.”
In the experienced duo’s absence, Pakistan had to field a couple of teenagers against the Aussies. Although the likes of Naseem Shah and Musa Khan had shown plenty of promise back home with their ability to bowl in upwards of 145 kmph on a regular basis, they failed to trouble the Australian batsmen with those skills.
“It’s not like I am saying we could have won in Australia but we could have done better than what we have done,” he said. “But now we have a bench and we are building it up and expanding it so that we cannot face any problem going forward. I know and you know that there are so many leagues around the world and these boys want to play it. It is just four overs and take money and they remain in their comfort as well, which sometimes damages the country.”
