Waqar opens up on Akmal, Shehzad inclusion in Sri Lanka series probables

Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis has said that he has no issue with the inclusion of opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal in Pakistan squad, as long as it is for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

During a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Younis was asked about his reaction to the duo’s inclusion in the list of probables for Sri Lanka series.

"I never said that both should be kept away from Team Pakistan forever. Please correct it! I always said they should be sent to domestic cricket to correct technical flaws. This is not anyone's team. This is Pakistan's team," Younis said while responding to a question which cited his report in 2016, after stepping down as Pakistan head coach, and his comments about Akmal and Shehzad.

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The former Pakistan pacer also spoke about working under, head coach-cum-chief selector, Misbahul Haq.

"Our goal is how to make Pakistan a better team. For me the exciting thing is to try and help some of the promising youngsters who are in the pipeline, and some more who will come in the near future too,” he said. "You come directly under a head coach as it's his domain and you work according to his mindset. The others are helping hands like the fielding coach and bowling coach. We will try to help Misbah as much as possible and move forward.”

Misbah and Waqar have previously worked as a pair from May 2014 to April 2016 with the former as captain and the latter as head coach.

The first assignment of Misbah-Waqar combination will be the upcoming three ODI and three T20I home series against Sri Lanka, which will be played from September 27 to October 9. The duo’s first series in the World Test Championship will be in Australia when Pakistan will play in Brisbane (November 21-25), followed by a day/night Test in Adelaide (November 29-December 3).