The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Waqar's presence inspiring

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Waqar's presence inspiring

LONDON: Pakistani captain Salman Butt believes the presence in the dressing room of former fast bowling great Waqar Younis as coach is inspiring his young players to try and replicate the country's golden era.

Waqar combined with Wasim Akram to form a fearsome pace bowling duo that carried Pakistan to some of its most famous victories in the 1990s.

And Butt says youngsters such as Mohammad Aamer and Wahab Riaz — who claimed five wickets in the first innings of Pakistan's win over England at the Oval on Saturday — is making the youngsters reach for the stars. “He has had a great impact on the side having played all his cricket in the golden years of Pakistan with the two ‘Ws' and if a side needed 20 runs and had six wickets left it would get the six wickets,” said Butt. “People like that in the dressing room give confidence and make the youngsters believe they can become heroes.

“It is important to have the heroes of the youngsters inside the dressing room. He has done a great job so far and I hope he continues in the same way.”

Azhar Ali made 92 in the first innings as Pakistan clawed its way back to 2-1 down in the series. — AFP

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