Waqar is confident struggling Azhar Ali will bounce back soon.
Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis on Wednesday (August 12) revealed the country’s heavyweight coaching staff has no role in the final decision making ahead of the second Test of the ongoing three-match Test series against England starting on Thursday (August 13) in Southampton.
Waqar, former Pakistan coach, and legendary pacer, also said Misbah-ul-Haq has the final authority in all decision making and team selection being a head coach and chief selector of the team.
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However, the bowling coach said Misbah consulted with his coaching staff when required but they have no role in final decision making including the team selection. His comment came after some former Pakistan cricketers advised the heavyweight coaching staff to play a more proactive role in the dressing room after the tourists 3-wicket defeat in the first Test against England last week.
Pakistan has a heavyweight coaching staff comprising Younis Khan as its batting coach and Mushtaq Ahmed as its spin coach and mentors apart from Waqar being a bowling coach.
As per the Press Trust of India, Waqar stated: “Misbah is the head coach and chief selector and obviously he has final authority. The coaching staff gives its feedback when consulted.”
The bowling coach also admitted that lack of experience in the pace attack played a role in Pakistan’s first Test defeat since the hosts dominated the match for 75 percent of the time.
On being asked about the decision to go in with five bowlers and just five specialist batsmen in the first Test, Waqar said: “If we had ended up winning the match I don’t think a lot of questions being asked now would have been asked.”
The bowling coach also admitted that Azhar Ali is currently going through a tough phase but was confident that the struggling Test captain will bounce back.
Waqar signed off, “Azhar has been there before and he is a proven performer so I have the confidence he knows what is expected of him and he will come back stronger in the next two Test matches.”