Waqar Younis has stepped down as Pakistan cricket team coach citing
personal reasons and said the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe will be his
last assignment.
Younis, who took over from Intikhab Alam as coach March last
year, said he has enjoyed his stint with the national team. The PCB is
yet to name a replacement.
'I
have tendered my resignation to the [Pakistan Cricket] board last week
and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last,' Younis said at a press
conference here.
'I have taken this decision on personal
grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone
and my resignation has been accepted by the board.
'Had
everything in my personal life -- that is, my wife's health and my own
-- been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not
want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on
my mind.'
The high point of Waqar's tenure was Pakistan's
successful tour of New Zealand followed by their semifinal appearance
in the World Cup. His stint, however, also witnessed the spot-fixing
controversy which erupted during the tour of England last year.
Waqar
described said he had a 'rollercoaster' time as a coach and admitted
his side was shocked when informed about his decision.
'It was a
roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the
spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young
boys have carried on the good work despite these problems,' he said.
'I
only told the players Saturday morning, and they were shocked because
until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that
this young team will do well in future.'
PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar confirmed they have accepted Waqar's resignation.
'The
PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons.
His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future,' he said.
Pakistan
play one practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two
Twenty20 matches on the tour of Zimbabwe which starts Aug 28. IANS
