Pakistan retain Waqar for Australia series

Waqar Younis will retain the Pakistan captaincy for the upcoming series against Australia but is under orders to improve his team's dismal recent record, the country's cricket chief said today.

"We are retaining Waqar for the Australian series and will continue to monitor his performance as well as that of his team and maintain our policy of naming a captain series by series," said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia.

"We want him to motivate the boys and try to put the team back on their winning ways," he said.

Waqar was last month appointed captain only for the current Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

Experienced paceman Wasim Akram and opener Saeed Anwar have opted out of the upcoming series while ace batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq has a heel injury.

Zia disclosed that wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has also asked for a break.

"We have recalled Moin Khan primarily because we have been informed by the team management that Latif also wanted a break from international cricket," he said.

Khan, sacked as captain last year, was Saturday named among the 22 probables for the series against Australia.

The withdrawals have sparked talk of a crisis in Pakistan cricket and local media had speculated about a possible revolt against Waqar. The PCB chief declined to comment.

Pakistan meet Australia in the first Test in Colombo from October 3-7. The remaining two Tests will be played in Sharjah from October 11-5 and 19-23.

Mail Cricket Editor