It definitely is too soon, but seeing Waqar Younis’ smiling face amongst a cheerful Pak team with the winning cup, raises interesting speculation about the role of a bowling coach in Pak’s current national team.
Can we attribute a part of Asif’s phenomenal performance and Razzler’s dazzling display to the tips provided by Waqar?
May be, may be not, since we are not likely to be privy to the inside techniques of coaching at the highest level. Plus Asif was quite impressive against India too, when there was no Waqar. However, it goes without saying, that as a supporter of our national team, I am happy to see that our fast bowlers have access to arguably one of the best fast bowlers in the world on a daily basis to improve their skills and plan to get their opponents out.
I agree, its too early to give a verdict on Waqar as a bowling coach but I would say, our bowlers Sami, Asif, Gul, and Anwar Ali Khan can really use Waqar and his tips to further their talent.
Only five extras in a test match shows the improvement already, let alone the graveyard our bowlers dug for the SL batting line up. The planning, control and reading of each batsman was remarkable. There must have been an input of the bowling coach in all these improvements.
I believe part of the success from a bowling standpoint should be accredited towards Waqar, as he as largely deserved it. That always mischievous and roguish smile, those tip-top expensive shades, that classy and luxurious hairstyle, and the shady expressions and body language that he possesses; when you glance at that man, suddenly, all the problems and worries in the world just seem to disappear in thin air, and one is like a kid in a candy store, looting and robbing out of its entirety with no chance of being caught.
One of the biggest aspects I believe everyone has witnessed that Waqar has recently accomplished on his own ever since he stepped foot back into the playground, is the large deduction of extras, which used to play a heavy role in almost every match that Pakistan has played in recent memory. On a large chunk of occasions, that column was rated higher than some of the batting scores from technical batters, but certainly not any less than what bowlers used to gift to the opposition on a silver platter with large amount of wides and no-balls. Initial reports suggested that he immediately started working in that comportment by having the bowlers to bowl two feet behind the stumps, and this interactive activity immensely helped to reduce the extra runs from one's side and made it even harder for the opposing batting team to score it on their own.
Apart from this perspective, the gentle movement of Asif is endorsed through his own means, as Asif himself proved overtime that the lateral movement he generates is by his own accomplishments and deeds, certainly proving the theory that if you constantly search enough for a needle in a haystack, positive results will most definitely follow.
I always have been a great supporter of PCB hiring Waqar or Wasim as the bowlng coach. Bowling dept. has always been our strength and we needed bowling greats like Waqar or Wasim to educate the young talent.
When Irfan pathan, Zaheer khan etc can claim that they they have recieved bowling tips from Wasim akram over the phone, which brought positive results for these bowlers than I guess we can assume that one month of constant supervision by Waqar definitely has some impact in the recent improvement.
I have no doubt that if Waqar is retained as the bowling coach for a longer period of time than definitely we will witness obvious improvements in the bowling dept.
If you guys watch the discussion between Mangreker and Rameez at the end of test 2 in SL, Mangreker asked the same questions to Rameez if Asif performance can be credit to Waqar's tips or not. Rameez replied saying that no doubt Asif himself is a great thinking bowler and he has talent as well but he has seen Waqar working on Asif giving him tips.
The other thing he mentioned what Waqar said to him about Asif that he loves bowling and he just wants to keep bowling and bowling and bowling and bowling...and no wonder we saw Asif bowled most of the overs in 2nd test than any other bowler...even more than Danish and Murli.
Some1 problem with that guy is that one day he will bowl with good line and length (rarely does but has done in past) and the other day he will not be able it to keep it straight. So at the speed that he bowls, 74-80 mph without LnL you are bound to get hit, or the best wicketless with medium eco/rate. Now something must be done by the bowler himself, No? Let say Waqar telling to all fasties to bowl in the right corridor and to this length, then change the line to a little closer to offstump, then to actual offstump with seam position towards middle stump, then next delivery a little outside offstump with seam straight, wrist position straight up for a surprise inswinger. So probably Asif and Razzaq were listening and Rao was busy in scratching Gul's back or eating peanuts, I guess. Its all about application.
Sami is the biggest example, that badnaseeb was gifted with leathal pace too, which Rao, Gul and Razzaq lack. He was taught by Wasim, Waqar, Woolmar and most recently Imran Khan, but he doesn't like to listen and learn from his mistakes. He and his action is exposed to the world except himself. He will be erratic all over the pitch that results in 81 in 7 overs without wicket sometimes.
Oh come on, it is so visible. Didnt you guys notice Asif's action, particularly his left arm? He is clearly making an effort to bring that into play. Every four five balls and he tucks it back in at delivery, but then fixes it in the next ball.
I'm sure Waqar is working with the bowlers to improve their skills in pitching it in right places, how to read batsman's foot movement and what to do and all that. The one who wants to learn and implement is clearly visible though he was a good bowler already. We have seen improvement in Rana when he visited Australia and from the reports it was clear that Waqar was helping Rana unofficially. We had seen Rana doing reverse swing as well during that series. Didn't get to see more of that in series against India and SL, could it have been his personal situation?
Anyway, we all have good hopes that Waqar's help will bear fruits and Shoaib Akhtar can learn something from him too.
I personally believe Asif's explosion on the scene should be credited mostly to Aaqib Javed. Though having Waqar in the dressing room alone can do wonders to boost morale.
What is Aqib Javed doing these days? Coaching the juniors? And I had heard that Anwar Ali and Jamsher from U19 were called for the camp prior to SL series. Where are they now and what are their prospects? I am assuming now that Pak is back for a two month chill time, Waqar, being a fully paid coach, can put his efforts in grooming outstanding young talent for the national team.
