Waqar Younis Maitla

Waqar Younis is a paragon of the cricketing pantheon, his career trajectory marked by a string of outstanding achievements and unrivaled fast bowling prowess. This paper will attempt to trace the evolution of Younis’s cricketing epic from its inception to the apogee of his vocation and further into the realms of his post-retirement activities. In addition, this narrative attempts to shed light on personal qualities and family relationships that make up the tapestry of his life, offering a holistic picture beyond his professional achievements.

Waqar Younis ODI and Test Career Stats - Batting and Bowling

Batting

Bowling

Career Information

Test debut vs India at National Stadium, Nov 15, 1989

Last Test vs South Africa at Newlands, Jan 02, 2003

ODI debut vs West Indies at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Oct 14, 1989

Last ODI vs Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Mar 04, 2003

Biography

Waqar Younis Maitla was born in 1971. November 16 in Burewala, Vehari District, Punjab, Pakistan, in a Punjabi Jat family. Younis grew up in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, where his father was a contract labourer, before returning to Pakistan as a teenager to play cricket, earning the nickname Burewala Express. During his school and college days, he was an all-rounder in running, javelin, high jump and pole vault, and was initially a leg-spinner before turning to fast bowling. Younis is married to a Pakistani-Australian doctor, Faryal, and the family lives in Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia. They have three children: two daughters and a son. During his post-cricket career, he worked as a sports commentator for the Nine Network in Australia and Ten Sports in the United Arab Emirates. He has held various coaching positions, including the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team and the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

Career of Pakistan Cricket Star - From First Class to International League

Younis began his cricketing journey in the domestic circuits of Pakistan in the late 1980s, representing several first-class teams. In an accident, he lost the little finger of his left hand after jumping into a canal, but after recovering from this mishap he continued his cricketing activities. His talent was spotted by the then Pakistan captain Imran Khan despite only six first-class appearances. Talking about the turn of events, Waqar recalls a fortuitous break when he was called upon to play due to Saleem Jaffar’s injury during a match that Imran Khan was watching on television. Imran’s personal invitation with the team to participate in a tournament in Sharjah was the defining moment in Younis’ rise to the cricketing world. Waqar Younis became a sensation on the English county scene during his time with Surrey in the early 1990s. His outstanding ability was reflected in his remarkable record of 113 wickets in a season which took him to the top of the bowling averages. His prowess continued with Glamorgan where he took the astonishing feat of seven wickets in 25 runs against Lancashire, a feat enhanced by a hat-trick. His contribution helped Glamorgan win the English County Championship in 1997. On the international front, Younis made a memorable debut for Pakistan against India, sharing the limelight with Sachin Tendulkar, who also made his debut in the same match. Waqar impressed with his speed and earned nicknames like Wiki and Burewala Express. He formed a formidable bowling partnership with Wasim Akram and established himself as a formidable competitor in the field. Despite being sidelined from the national team due to suspension and internal disputes, Waqar returned to take up the captaincy. His tenure was marred by controversies, including a ball-tampering ban and an incident during the 2003 World Cup, which saw him ejected from the match early. After the team’s early exit from the tournament, he resigned as captain and was later removed from the team’s roster. Waqar ended his illustrious career in 2004. and was Pakistan’s second highest batsman to retire.

Coaching Career

In March 2006, Waqar Younis assumed the position of bowling coach for the Pakistan team. However, he resigned in early January 2007 as a result of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to omit him from the One Day International series against South Africa. The resignation occurred subsequent to his perception of preferential treatment towards Mushtaq Ahmed for the role of bowling coach, as indicated by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. After rejoining the coaching staff for Pakistan’s tour to Australia in late 2009, Waqar was subsequently promoted to the position of head coach in February 2010, following the dismissal of Intikhab Alam as a result of the team’s underwhelming performances.

In his capacity as head coach, Waqar steered a Pakistan team, which was compromised by the absence of pivotal players, to the semi-finals of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. The team was defeated by an impressive final-over display by Australian cricketer Mike Hussey. The team experienced narrow defeats in several matches during the 2010 Asia Cup, although they were ultimately unable to secure victories in critical games against Sri Lanka and India. During a subsequent tour of England, Pakistan’s performance exhibited variation, however, they were able to secure a landmark Test victory against Australia, marking their first triumph over the team in 15 years. The tour was marred by a spot-fixing scandal, resulting in a significant loss and the suspension of key players, consequently overshadowing the overall experience.

The period of adversity persisted with a series of matches against South Africa followed by a commendable performance in the initial stages of the World Cup, culminating in a defeat in the semi-finals at the hands of India. In August 2011, Waqar relinquished his coaching position, citing potential conflict with captain Shahid Afridi as a contributing factor to his decision. Following his coaching stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he assumed the position of Pakistan’s head coach in 2014. However, he tendered his resignation in April 2016 citing frustrations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and following a breach of confidentiality wherein a report criticizing player Shahid Afridi was leaked.

During Waqar’s tenure, he provided critical evaluations of the team’s overall performance and the individual players, with particular attention given to Afridi. The individual’s communication to the Pakistan Cricket Board, which was disclosed to the public, extensively outlined his complaints, specifically citing Afridi’s perceived lack of commitment and Mohammad Hafeez’s undisclosed injury. In response to the criticism of the public and the board regarding his report, Waqar articulated his disappointment openly while maintaining his attention on the wider contextual factors impacting the team dynamics. The conclusion of his term was marked by controversies, culminating in his resignation three months prior to the expiration of his contract. He proposed that the salary he would have earned be redirected towards the development of domestic cricket. The conclusion of Waqar Younis’s tenure as coach signified the conclusion of a turbulent period during which he endeavored to rejuvenate Pakistan cricket, encountering substantial obstacles both within the team and in external circumstances.

Career Achievements

Waqar Younis boasts an impressive success rate in Test matches, second only to Dale Steyn. Having bowled over 16,224 balls in his career, Waqar’s strike rate stood at 43. 4, while Steyn, who bowled 17,707 balls, topped the list with 42. 0 For his significant contribution to cricket, Waqar was awarded in 1992. In the Wisden Cricketers of the Year edition. Notably, he is the only bowler to take five wickets in an innings in three consecutive One Day Internationals. Also, he reached the milestone of 300, 350 and 400 wickets faster than any other player in One Day International history in terms of number of deliveries collected. Apart from his bowling skills, Waqar also impressed with the bat, scoring over a thousand Tests, a unique feat for a player who never reached the half-century mark. in 2005 in September, he was the only player in this category to score that many points. He holds the highest strike rate record among bowlers who have taken more than 350 wickets in Test cricket. In One Day Internationals, Waqar’s record is equally impressive. He holds the record for the best bowling figures by a captain in an ODI match (7 for 36) and is the first captain to take seven wickets in an ODI innings. His joke is also spot on; he scored the most runs of his career batting 10th in ODIs with a total of 478 runs. Waqar’s entry into the international cricket scene was unexpected; he is the youngest bowler ever to take five wickets in an ODI match at just 18 years and 164 days. He holds the record for most four-wicket hauls in ODI cricket (27 to his name). He is also credited with taking the most consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODIs, achieving the feat in three consecutive innings, a milestone three times in his career. He is also the only bowler to take four wickets in ODIs three times in a row.

Unique Batting Technique of Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis continued the legacy of Pakistani fast bowlers who were adept at playing the reverse swing technique pioneered by Sarfraz Nawaz. Originally cast in the old fashioned bowling role, Waqar’s skills in this aspect of bowling continued to improve until the retirement of Imran Khan. Along with Wasim Akram, he formed one of the most formidable fast bowling partnerships of the 1990s, praised for his ability to swing the ball at high speed. Their partnership is often regarded as one of the most effective in the history of the sport due to their mastery of the reverse swing. Waqar’s method involved careful handling of the ball, leaving one side rough and the other shiny, allowing him to swing the ball back against its natural motion. This technique allowed him to make accurate shots both inside and outside, making the pair a goal-scoring force. Even after severe back injuries, Waqar was able to hit balls at high speed, in 1993. after hitting a record of 153 kmph against South Africa. His strategy also included an aggressive use of batsmen, which proved to be particularly effective as his performance showed. against South Africa at Sheikhupura. The concept of the reverse swing initially raised suspicions in the English media following Pakistan’s Test series win in 1992, as it was a relatively unknown phenomenon in world cricket. Allegations of foul play emerged, but subsequent investigations exonerated Pakistan’s bowlers and reverse swing became a recognized and legitimate cricketing skill. Waqar’s influence continued beyond his playing days. Lasith Malinga, famous for his yorkers and multiple hat-tricks in the World Cup, cited Waqar and Akram as inspirations for his bowling technique. Waqar’s unique ability to swing the ball in the air with intensity has earned him the nickname ‘Banana Swing Bowler’, illustrated by the unplayable innings he delivered during his hat-tricks. Despite these considerable abilities, Waqar’s approach sometimes led to costly spells that lacked the consistency of peers such as Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath. This can partly be attributed to the attacking mindset of his captain Imran Khan, who emphasized aggression and speed over economy in his bowling.

Waqar Younis Personal Details - Family, Net Worth

Waqar Younis, distinguished for his prolific contributions to cricket, embodies an equally commendable persona in his domestic sphere. At the age of 52, he is intricately woven into the fabric of his familial unit, which is augmented by his spouse, Dr. Faryal Waqar, a professional in the medical domain. Their progeny encompasses two daughters and a son, with the family primarily domiciling in Australia, indicative of their preference for a life removed from the public scrutiny often associated with Pakistan​​.

His economic valuation, approximated at $8 million, is reflective of a lucrative career in cricket, inclusive of his roles in coaching and broadcasting post-retirement​​. The familial infrastructure, featuring his progenitor, Mohammad Younis, and his siblings, underscores a supportive network fundamental to his professional trajectory​​.

Younis’ adept segregation of his public stature from his private existence illustrates a commendable equilibrium. His pursuit of privacy for his kin aligns with the reticence he upholds personally, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of his familial life amidst the continuous veneration of his cricketing achievements.

Conclusion

In summation, the narrative of Waqar Younis is one that extends significantly beyond his cricketing exploits, encapsulating a profound dedication to personal ethics and family. His adept navigation through the dichotomy of public veneration and private life demonstrates a distinguished model of balance. Within the familial domain, his life in Australia and union with a medical professional epitomizes the confluence of professional success and intimate contentment. His financial standing is emblematic of his professional triumphs, yet it is the discreet and steadfast adherence to familial commitments that cements his legacy, reflecting the quintessence of his character and life philosophy.