New Pakistan coach Waqar Younis hopes to invigorate his troubled team ahead of the World Twenty20, saying his priority is to restore faith among the players.
Pakistan are still reeling from the aftermath of their disastrous tour of Australia where they lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match and will defend their World Twenty20 title in the West Indies next month.
“I think the team lacked faith,” Waqar said at the start of a three-week training camp in Lahore. “They were not able to perform in crunch situations, so my first task will be to mix with the players and raise their morale.”
The dismal performance of Pakistan during the Australian tour, which ended last month, resulted in bans and fines for seven players including former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan over charges of indiscipline.
Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were banned for one year and heavily fined.
Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umer Akmal were also fined heavily and put on a six-month probation. Coach Intikhab Alam was replaced by Waqar earlier this month.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Australia and Bangladesh in the 12-team event.
Waqar praised the leadership qualities of Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi.
“Afridi is an all-rounder with a positive frame of mind who has been bowling excellently in the last two years. His mere presence on the field generates a fighting spirit among the players. So I am confident that both of us will work together to deliver the desired results,” he said.
Waqar singled out fielding as the key area of improvement.
“During the camp we will stress on the fielding because in a Twenty20 match, 15-20 runs can make the difference and this you can save through good fielding,” Waqar said.
“Any team which plays well on the day can win a Twenty20 match, it’s tough to predict who will win but in my opinion Australia, India and South Africa are playing well. Our bowling is good and for me Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez will be key bowlers,” he said.
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