Waqar Younis to miss Pakistan’s first game as bowling coach for family reasons

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has recently been appointed as his country’s bowling coach. However, the 47-year-old will be unable to be present during Pakistan’s first match after his latest appointment which is against Sri Lanka in Karachi on September 27. Waqar will be visiting Sydney to attend his daughter’s graduation ceremony. He will be available with the team for the second ODI, which is also scheduled in Karachi, on September 29.

The upcoming twin series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka including three ODIs and as many T20Is has been in discussion for a number of reasons. While many Sri Lankan players pulled out of tour citing security concerns, the Sri Lankan government also warned the country’s cricket board about possible terror attacks.

The tour looked uncertain before Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed going ahead with it saying it got assurances from the Pakistan government. The islanders’ cricket team came under a terror attack in Lahore during their visit of 2009 and Pakistan has largely remained sidelined as an international host since then barring hosting a few short tours. Lanka, however, played a lone T20I in Lahore in 2017. Sri Lanka will play their three T20Is with Pakistan in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.

Younis became bowling coach for the second time after 2006-07

Coming back to Younis, this is the second time that he has been made the bowling coach of Pakistan after 2006. He had served for a year then after which he became the coach in 2010 and was at the helm for a year again. He served his second stint as Pakistan’s head coach between 2014 and 2016 when South African-born Mickey Arthur succeeded him.

Pakistan overhauled their coaching crew following a disappointing performance at the ICC World Cup in England in May-July and Younis replaced Azhar Mahmood as the bowling coach and grabbed a three-year contract. Pakistan also replaced Mickey Arthur with former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who has also been made the chief selector.

Pakistan announced their 16-man squad for the ODIs against Sri Lanka. The team will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed. Pacer Hasan Ali, who recently got married to an Indian woman, was not picked as he is still recovering from a back injury.