October 26 Saturday 2002
Waqar vows a return to form by humiliated side

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket captain Waqar Younis promised on Friday to lead his humiliated side to a comeback after its 3-0 trouncing by Australia this month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"I promise that my team will (make a) comeback and do well in future tours because spirits are high," Waqar told a press conference in the eastern city of Lahore.

The conference was his first appearance before Pakistani journalists in the three months since his team's performance started going downhill after beating Australia in a one-day series in June.

Pakistan lost six of the 11 one-day matches that preceded the ill-fated Test series against Australia, which concluded October 22 in the UAE's Sharjah. Its devastating defeat in Sharjah drew heavy criticism at home and prompted Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia to submit his resignation.

President Pervez Musharraf, patron of the board, rejected his resignation. Waqar attributed Pakistan's defeat to inexperience and injuries, but took responsibility as captain. "It was the worst defeat and should not have happened, but we were an inexperienced team pitted against a formidable Australian team," he said.

"Since the team didn't do well my performance as captain was also not good and I take the responsibility. "But injuries to some key players and absence of others were also key factors in our losses."

Waqar, while answering a question, said he will consider his future in Pakistan cricket after the World Cup next year. Pakistan is now preparing for twin tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa starting November. They will play two Tests and five one-day matches against each side.

"I hope that the youngsters have learnt a lot from the series against Australia and will do their best on tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa," Waqar said. The Pakistan Cricket Board will announce the Test squad for the Zimbabwe tour on Saturday after meetings between chairman Zia, Younis, coach Richard Pybus and senior players including Wasim Akram and Saeed Anwar Wasim and Anwar opted out of the series against Australia to rest but have announced their availability for the African tours.