Waqar Younis appointed as the coach of Islamabad United

Islamabad United appointed former Pakistani pacer Waqar Younis as the team director and bowling coach for the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Waqar has also been the coach of the Pakistan national team twice. Regarded as one of the greatest pacers of his time, Waqar is now expected to train fresh legs in the PSL.

The role was previously held by another Pakistani great Wasim Akram. Both the former bowling partners were earlier being touted for a reunion on the Multan Sultans coaching staff, but certain things didn’t work out then. Thus, Waqar is all set to coach talented and young fast bowlers like Amad Butt and Rumman Raees who has shown promising signs time and again. The squad also consists of Mohammed Sami and Mohammed Irfan who may miss out on the PSL next season due to a one year ban.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq makes the announcement

The announcement was made by Islamabad United team owner Ali Naqvi, and captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “This is a great opportunity for me. We are going to target the smaller regions to identify talent and I am excited to be here,” he said.

Naqvi also cleared the air and stated that there were “no issues” between Akram and the franchise: ‘Wasim Akram was a great teacher for our bowlers. There were no issues for him. We are thankful for his services. Wasim worked with Rumman Raees and taught him swing. Now we have Waqar Younis who will teach him toe-crushers.”

Waqar on the new role

Waqar, who was also present at the press conference, remarked. “When I used to see PSL from the outside, Islamabad United seemed like a family to me and I am thrilled to be a part of it. We all want the PSL to come back to Pakistan and we are on the right track.”