PAKISTAN UNPREDICTABLE: WAQAR

Former Pakistan pace ace and reverse swing pioneer Waqar Younis believed that Pakistan’s traditionally unpredictable nature makes them a dangerous proposition in this edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan just about managed to make the cut for the tournament as the eighth and last team and have basically flown under the radar, so to speak.

But Waqar, who also wore the coach’s hat not so long ago, said that it was difficult to envisage which Pakistan will turn up on the day but added that a win against India could do wonders to their confidence.

“We definitely are the underdogs, we are not the world beaters at the moment and nobody is writing about us for this Champions Trophy but you never know with Pakistan,” Waqar told the Khaleej Times on Wednesday.

“Pakistan are always the kind of a team that can come up on a given day and beat any side in the world. We need a good start and we need to beat India, to begin with. And if we beat India, I think the confidence will start coming in and you never know then,” he added.

The ‘Sultan of Swing’ also backed new captain Sarfraz Ahmed to do well in the tournament. It will be Sarfraz’s first big tournament as captain.

“Look you got to give him time. He’s young and he’s taken on the role recently.

“So, he needs a little bit more time. It is a big tournament for him and it is going to be a breakthrough for him.

If he does well on this tour, it will really boost his confidence going into his future. But he’s got talent, he’s proved it, he’s won against the West Indies twice. So, it’s a big tournament for him and as well as the entire country. And Pakistan-India is always a big game,” said Waqar.

james@khaleejtimes.com