Waqar explains Abbas' exclusion from Brisbane Test

Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis has opened up about the decision to drop ace seamer Mohammad Abbas from the playing XI in the ongoing first Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane.

While speaking at the press conference after the end of third day’s play, the bowling coach justified the omission of Abbas by arguing that the seamer has experienced a decline in his bowling form in the recent past.

“Mohammad Abbas has been a match-winner for us over the last 18 months,” said Waqar. “Unfortunately he isn’t at his best rhythm. He hasn’t been bowling as well as he has in the past. But we’re not losing hope with him. He’s still our main man.”

ALSO READ: Yasir Shah sets unwanted record

Waqar also said that with such an inexperienced attack at their disposal, it was only natural that there would be tough times.

“Naseem Shah is only 16 remember and even Shaheen Afridi is only 19, so of course they are going to learn a lot from this tour,” he said. “We’ve got to give them time and hope they learn, and in a year or so they’ll be a force to reckon with.”

The 48-year-old also rued the fact that the Pakistan pacers failed to bowl the right lengths with the new ball.