Waqar hoping to kickstart new ODI era

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Cricket365
April 14, 2015

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis is hoping a new era in Pakistan cricket will be kick-started when they tour Bangladesh later this month for three ODI's, one T20I and two Test matches.

Waqar is especially hoping that the ODI side will get over their World Cup disappointment on the Bangladesh tour. Pakistan lost in the quarterfinal of the global tournament after a rather disappointing campaign.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and senior player Shahid Afridi retired from the 50-over format after the world event, and Waqar has decided to pick a new, younger squad to take on the Tigers. Test regular Azhar Ali has been made ODI skipper.

Waqar said: "It's a new era and with these new boys I am optimistic that they can serve Pakistan for long from here. Talent is there but it is all about opportunities, which they have and now I am hopeful that they will do well in the upcoming Bangladesh series.

"It's a tough series. The way Bangladesh have improved recently they are a fine side and we can't take them easy. I can't built a big expectation because we have a young side, a lot of new comers and also I don't want to put extra pressure on them but I believe they can do the job."

There has been speculation that the coach sent a report to the PCB about some players poor attitudes during the World Cup, and the Waqar has made it clear that only players with the right attitudes will play for the national team.

He said: "I can't share much from the report but yes in my report I have written my reservations to the PCB and I am glad that most of them were accepted and the PCB started taking initiative.

"Of course there is a dire need of an attitude – a right attitude towards many aspects of the game and if we don't do it and don't improve we will be left behind. We have seen the fielding in the World Cup and the fitness aspect so we have to do it and I don't think Pakistan need any such player who does not have the right attitude."