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InDepth headlines national business sports cricket regional entertainment technology world travel autos health | Waqar Younis retires from international cricket 22.35 IST 12th Apr 2004 By IndiaExpress Bureau 
One of the greatest fast bowlers and former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis today announced his retirement from international cricket.The 33-year-old bowler, who made his debut against India in 1989, has taken 373 wickets in 87 Test matches and 416 wickets in 262 one-day internationals. Waqar captained Pakistan in last year's World Cup but was axed following his side's disastrous first-round exit. He was overlooked for all of Pakistan's outings after the World Cup. "It is a sad day for me, but the right time to go," the 32-year-old told a media conference organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Rawalpindi. "I thought I could have played for a year or so, but I lost the hunger because the selectors did not consider me good enough to represent the country any more. "I have not decided on my future. It could be media work or coaching, but something definitely related to cricket." He made his Test debut with India's Sachin Tendulkar at Karachi in 1989 and was soon regarded as an outstanding fast bowler who demolished batsmen with express pace and his uncanny ability to reverse swing the old ball. Waqar, who formed a formidable pace combination with Wasim Akram, played 87 Tests in which he claimed 373 wickets at a superb average of 23.56. The fast bowler also took 416 wickets in 262 one-day internationals, only the second bowler after Akram to have more than 400 victims in the shorter version of the game. "It was great bowling alongside Akram, he contributed to 50 percent of my success," Waqar said of the legendary left-arm seamer who finished with 414 Test and a world record 502 one-day wickets. "We shared the burden and complemented each other. I was proud to be part of a partnership that was referred to as the two Ws of Pakistan cricket. "People sometimes talk of the rivalry and controversy between us. It was nothing serious. In fact, any rivalry was a healthy one and good for the team. "We started the trend of reverse swing which initially raised a few eyebrows. Now everyone seems to have learnt the art." Waqar, whose family was present at the media conference, termed former Pakistan captain Imran Khan as his "godfather and mentor." "Imran did not teach me how to bowl, but he taught me how to win matches and have the right approach towards cricket," Waqar said. "These have been unforgettable 15 years in the game. I am what I am because of cricket. It was not a game but a lifestyle. "There were some regrets too like missing out, due to injury, the 1992 World Cup which Pakistan won and not being able to play a lot against India. "I played with my heart, that's why I played so long. I want to be remembered as a decent cricketer who did his best for the team and the country." Waqar was appointed captain for the England tour in 2001 and continued in the job even after Pakistan were shot out twice for 59 and 52 by Australia in a Test match in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates in 2002. Waqar was a regular feature in English county cricket where he first played for Surrey before moving to Glamorgan and then Warwickshire. |
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