November 20 Wednesday 2002
Waqar dons match-winner's mantle after Shoaib injury

BULAWAYO: Captain Waqar Younis led by example, taking four wickets in Pakistan's 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe on the fourth day of the second test on Tuesday. The paceman finished with four for 78 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 281, leaving the visitors a nominal target of 57 to win the Test and the series.

Waqar Younis said an injury to fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who did not bowl on Tuesday, had worked in his favour. "We had a small problem with Shoaib Akhtar's knee, so we were short of bowlers and needed someone to bowl for an hour to an hour and a half," Waqar told. "I bowled a longer spell than usual and it really did me good. "I got my rhythm right and that should help me in the one-dayers."

Waqar said Akhtar's injury wasn't serious. "He's okay, but we didn't want to take the risk of bowling him and he wasn't really required," Waqar Younis said. Waqar was satisfied with his team's performance, particularly in the light of the 3-0 defeat by Australia in their previous test series. "We have come through a very bad patch, and it's good 
to see the boys playing well and winning 2-0," he said.

"The bowling and the batting were brilliant but we need to work on our fielding, especially with the one-dayers coming up." He said he respected Zimbabwe as limited overs opponents. "They have proved in the past that they are dangerous in the one-dayers and we are going to have to work really hard."