Pakistan coach Waqar Younis was understandably angry at his team’s middle order batting performance in Tuesday’s defeat against New Zealand. At one point Pakistan were 65 for no loss in the sixth over, but the Men in Green were unable to build on Sharjeel Khan’s blistering 47 off 26 balls. Waqar explains what went wrong in their run chase and the reason behind their downfall on Tuesday.
What do you think cost you the matchIJ
If you see, we didn’t move at all from the eighth to the 15th over (run-rate slowed down). Two of our so-called youngsters, upcoming cricketers...They both batted for a good chunk of time in the middle, where we thought you would take the game away. We just hoped so, but couldn’t finish.
What do make about Pakistan not taking the perfect platform laid by SharjeelIJ
I think the platform we needed, we had got that. I think they bowled really well, one must admit that. In the middle, I think we couldn’t find the boundaries, which were important. And simply not good enough, I guess.
What is your view on some batsmen complaining that they are not getting to bat at the desired positionsIJ
Twenty20 cricket is such a format where one should adjust and be able to adapt to the conditions. Those who are raising this issue that they are not getting to bat at desired position, there could not have been a better opportunity after Sharjeel created the platform.
At one stage, we needed to score singles and doubles to win the match. But one must say, we are not good enough, I am simply saying that. No matter, how much we keep talking about we lack this and that, but people need to introspect, is this about number or is this about Pakistan.
What do you make about Afridi’s statementIJ
What should I comment on thatIJ Of course, he has decided to finish playing cricket for Pakistan. I do not know what other sort of cricket he is going to carry on playing. But yeah, of course, he is looking to finish it.
Will you be continuing as the coachIJ
look, I don’t know. I think, a lot of things need to be told to the Cricket Board, Also what is going wrong. I have told it in the past also, it’s not for the first time I would be telling. But yeah, I will go back and have a look, and I will try to make people understand who are in control (at the helm), if they agree or don’t, it is entirely up to them.