Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq have a long standing relationship. When Waqar was the head coach of the national team between 2010 and 2011 and later 2014 and 2016, Misbah was the captain of the side.
But Waqar and Pakistan cricket don’t share as good a rapport. Both his coaching stints had ended on a sore note with the fast bowler resigning before the end of his assigned duration. Now a few years later, Waqar is going to work under Misbah after an overhaul of the support staff by Pakistan Cricket Board. With tons of coaching experience, Waqar is obviously an asset to Pakistan cricket and he has in the past gelled well with Misbah ul Haq. But is this a downgrade of sorts for the veteran pacer?
“As far as thinking like it’s a demotion, it’s only a myth that you go up or down,” Waqar said. “Our goal is how to make Pakistan a better team. For me the exciting thing is to try and help some of the promising youngsters who are in the pipeline, and some more who will come in the near future too.”
While his goal is aligned, he realises that the mindset of the head coach is more important. He has no hesitancy in accepting that Misbah is the bigger man here.
“You come directly under a head coach as it’s his domain and you work according to his mindset. The others are helping hands like the fielding coach and bowling coach. We will try to help Misbah as much as possible and move forward.
“In three years lots of things have changed,” Waqar said about his comeback. “The format has changed in domestic cricket, new people have come, there are new coaches, new thinking has come. I am not here to make controversies, I will try to make the Pakistan bowling attack a good one.”
Realising Misbah was the frontrunner, Waqar was not in a good enough space to apply for the role of head coach but he put his hat into the ring to coach the bowlers and has been granted his wish.
“I decided that I wasn’t mentally ready to get back into the set-up as head coach so I applied for bowling coach,” Waqar said. “I think I have a very good chemistry with Misbah, I’ve got a very good understanding with him and it will help in the future. The PCB has given Misbah an opportunity and it’s our responsibility to support and back him because he’s a very honest man and passionate about the game.”
“My role is very simple and well-defined. I had done both the roles as a head coach and a bowling coach so I have an idea. The best thing is that I know about Misbah’s mindset because whatever coaching I had done was with Misbah as the captain.”
With Sri Lanka set to tour, the two will have an early chance to rekindle their camaraderie.