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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram started a two-week coaching stint with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday and asked his countrymen to be patient with the national team after the World Cup debacle.

“What happened in the World Cup was regrettable and disappointing. But the past is history now and we must look ahead. Pakistan team still has lot of talent and some good young players coming up but we have to be patient and give them time to settle down,” Wasim said.

Wasim, who has largely remained out of Pakistan cricket since retiring in 2003, will conduct a two-week coaching camp for fast bowlers and opening batsmen with former Test player, Mudassar Nazar who is also the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

“I see this assignment as an opportunity to give something back to Pakistan cricket. It has always been my desire to work with young players and help them improve their skill and trade,” Wasim said.

The Pakistan board has picked some of the finest young pacers and openers in the country for the two weeks crash course which is part of the rebuilding process of Pakistan cricket after the World Cup debacle.

Pakistan were eliminated in the first round of the World Cup after losing to West Indies and minnows Ireland and this led to senior batsman, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s, stepping down as the captain and also his retirement from One-day Internationals (ODIs).

Wasim supported Inzamam’s decision to step down but would not comment on the senior batsman’s insistence to continue playing Test cricket even at the age of 37.

“Every player, no matter how great he is, has to go one day. Inzamam has also played his innings for Pakistan. It is a natural process but there is no doubt he was one of the great batsmen produced by Pakistan,” he said.

Wasim who finished with 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets said he was interested to see how Shoaib Malik would take up the responsibility.

“It is an interesting decision but he is a good and sensible young player. If he succeeds it would be good for Pakistan in the long run. We have some exciting young players and this team can develop into a good one with time. But it will not happen overnight,” he explained.

Wasim said Pakistan and India should learn their lessons from the World Cup and realise which areas they have to work on to match the other teams.

Source:The News