Pakistan is known for producing immensely talented cricketers who can turn the game around with their skill. However, this talent often comes with a level of unpredictability. Managing and harnessing this talent while maintaining consistency can be a challenge for coaches.

The Pakistan cricket team comprises players from diverse backgrounds and regions, each with its own cultural nuances and languages. Foreign coaches face challenges in communication and understanding cultural differences.

Pakistan cricket has often been marred by political and administrative interference, which create instability and distractions within the team.

Improving the Pakistan cricket team’s performance requires not only technical expertise but also strong leadership skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to navigate through various challenges with resilience and determination.

After some pathetic performances in recent times, especially in the T20 World Cup, last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi appointed former fast bowler and coach Waqar Younis as adviser to the PCB chairman.

Naqvi also announced a six-member advisory board, which will be headed by Waqar Younis. Naqvi announced the introduction of the Champions Cup which will feature five teams, each having 30 players.

The tournament will encompass all three formats of the game, with Waqar Younis as head of the CEOs of all five teams.

The Champions Cup will also include international players, and Waqar Younis would oversee the players’ development, Naqvi said.

Naqvi said that a pool of 150 players would be used to select the best players for the domestic cup.

Waqar, a legendary former cricketer, has previously served in various roles, including head coach and bowling coach. His appointment as an advisor brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game, which could be pivotal in changing the fortunes of Pakistan cricket.

Waqar’s impact could be profound, given his knowledge of modern cricket and his ability to mentor young players. His experience can help in identifying and nurturing talent, especially in the fast-bowling department. Additionally, his insights into game strategy and player management could provide the team with the tactical edge needed to compete at the highest levels.

However, the effectiveness of Waqar as an advisor will depend on several factors. One key element is the support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management. A harmonious working relationship is crucial for implementing strategies and making necessary changes. Moreover, the willingness of players to adapt to new methodologies will also play a significant role in determining his success.

Let’s take a look at Waqar’s various PCB tenures.

Following his retirement, Waqar was appointed as the bowling coach for the Pakistan cricket team from 2006-2007. During his tenure, Pakistan played in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006, where they finished last in their group, disappointing many fans. Moreover, Pakistan were also accused of ball tampering in a Test series against England after which he was relieved of his duties.

The former pacer was appointed as the bowling and fielding coach of Pakistan for the tour of Australia in 2009. The tour ended in disaster as Pakistan were whitewashed in the three-match Test series, five-match ODI series and one-off T20I, thus bringing an end to Waqar’s short stint with the national side.

In 2010, PCB hired Waqar Younis once again, this time as the head coach. During his tenure as the head coach, the Men in Green played 10 Test matches of which they only won 2 matches, drew 2 games, and lost 6. Pakistan played 18 T20Is and won only 6, which once again let down the fans.

Waqar eventually stepped down in 2011, stating it was because of personal reasons but there were rumors that there was some unrest in the side, particularly between Shahid Afridi and Waqar.

In May 2014, Waqar was appointed as the head coach once again. During the next two years, Pakistan had a mixed bag of results, including a disappointing campaign in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Pakistan’s exit in the quarters in the ODI World Cup, followed by a humiliating group stage exit in the T20 World Cup in 2016 made Waqar hand in his resignation.

There were also reports of disharmony with the team as well as some political influence from the PCB higher-ups.

Then in 2019 Waqar Younis was once again appointed as the bowling coach on a 3 year contract, along with head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq. During that tenure, Pakistan performed poorly once again, getting eliminated in the first stage of the 2019 World Cup in England leaving the fans furious.

Pakistan’s poor performance coupled with political tensions in the PCB led to turmoil once again. Right before the start of the 2021 T20 World Cup, which Pakistan were hot favourites for, Waqar and Misbah announced their resignation.

The move did not sit well with the Pakistan fans as they believed that the duo should not have resigned before the mega-event in the UAE.

Now that Waqar has taken overall cricketing affairs in the PCB, domestic as well as international, fans expect a substantial improvement in the national team’s performance.

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