‘Trademark’ fast bowling future looks bright for Pakistan cricket, says Waqar Younis

In the recently concluded 3-match Test series in England, which the hosts won 1-0, young Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah produced impressive performances. The visitors, having lost the Test series, went on to draw the following 3-match T20I series 1-1. Pakistan’s bowling coach and veteran pacer Waqar Younis has admitted that he is confident of the bright future of team’s ‘trademark’ fast bowling unit.

“Fast bowling is the trademark of Pakistan cricket. There have been so many great ones over the years and I am confident that the future will be bright again,” Waqar Younis was quoted as saying in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) website column published on Thursday.

“We have seen already that Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are wonderful bowlers. Muhammad Musa, who was part of the squad in England, is another, and there are a couple in the under-19s also. Of course, Mohammad Abbas is very seasoned and experienced.”

Waqar, who was Wasim Akram’s bowling partner, played English county cricket just like the legendary southpaw. Contemporary cricketers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Abbas, too, have participated in county cricket and have got a fair idea of the conditions in England. The bowling coach is hopeful that the youngsters, too, follow their footsteps in this regard.

“I know from personal experience how much you can learn from playing in England, getting used to different weather and ground conditions, the pitches, and life off the field also. Both Mohammad Amir (Essex) and Mohammad Abbas (Leicestershire) have been really successful for English counties and it has benefited their careers so much as well,” he added.