‘India-Pakistan should end drought in England’
Legendary pacer Waqar wants both teams to prepare better for tours
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Waqar Younis, former Pakistan team captain and coach, wants Pakistan and India to produce their best on conditions abroad — especially away from subcontinent conditions.
The arch-rivals playing in the Asia Cup had struggled during England tour recently.
Speaking to Gulf News in Dubai, Waqar said: “India and Pakistan are very good one-day sides: they produce thrillers. They should perform well in conditions abroad too.”
When asked the reason behind the teams’ struggle in England, Waqar said: I think they need to prepare a little bit better, because when you go to England, especially, you have to play against a moving ball. You need to be there early and get used to it.”
Waqar blamed the present schedule of both the teams for the plight. “Nowadays, the present schedule don’t give teams enough time. It’s important for BCCI to maybe send the team two to three weeks early and play matches. If they did, they would have done it would have made a made a huge difference.”
Waqar is reminded of the days when Pakistan did well in England. “In the 90s, we used to play 10 side games and we used to be there early and the tour was often three and a half months. Nowadays, they squeeze everything. Teams are playing four Test matches in six to seven weeks and that too without playing any side games.”
Waqar is surprised over how teams are made to play Test matches in England right away, without any practice.
“You get straight away into the Test match, that is why you get exposed. English bowlers are very used to their own conditions and it is very hard. Doesn’t matter if you are a Virat Kohli or Shikar Dhawan or any big name, but if you are not used to the conditions, it can be tough.”
Waqar pointed out that a team like England struggle when they tour India. “Likewise, when they (England) come to India on spinning conditions, they struggle. So I think, if India or Pakistan want to win, especially in England, they have to go early. They need to plan the tour better and maybe send the team two or three weeks early and play some side games. It’s been a while since they have won in England.”
Pakistan drew the recent England series 1-1 after losing the last Test match, while India lost to England 4-1.
The pace ace, meanwhile, wants Asia Cup to remain strong and produce quality cricket. “If you look around, they are the best six teams. Even Hong Kong played nicely. Hopefully, this tournament will be really good if it can produce some quality matches. It was good to see as the competition is pretty high now.”
If India or Pakistan want to win, especially in England, they need to go two or three weeks early and play some side games.” Waqar Younis (left) » Former Pakistan captain