Pak players have learnt their lessons from Australia tour: Waqar

St.LUCIA - Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis believes that his side’s laid back attitude, which was one of the prime reasons behind their disastrous performance during the Australia tour, has now been replaced by a ‘new spirit of determination’.

“I’ve seen the change from Australia to Pakistan. The boys have really started responding. In Australia I was part of the team and the boys were a little laid back, not really bothered,” Waqar said.

He said there has been a noticeable change in the attitude of the players, and they want to prove a point after the whole controversy which followed the winless tour Down Under.

“I don’t know if it’s got anything to do with the bannings or what, but they have really started pushing themselves.I wouldn’t say they’re scared but they’ve probably started thinking it’s a professional game and they get paid for it and there’s a country’s (honour) at stake,” The News quoted Waqar, as saying.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had slapped hefty fines and imposed bans ranging from a year to an indefinite period on players, including former skippers Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, after an enquiry committee blamed them for infighting during the Australia tour.

Waqar also believes that Afridi is the right man to lead the side, despite him being fined and banned for his shocking ball chomping act during the last one-day international against Australia.

“I think so, he has probably realised and he wants to do more, and I think he is the best choice as captain. He is an all-rounder and he leads from the front,” he said.

“He is bowling superbly, he is a match-winning bowler. And with his quick 30-odd off 10 balls or whatever, that really puts the game in your favour,” Waqar added. (ANI)