Waqar apologizes, offers to resign

LAHORE — Pakistan’s head coach Waqar Younis Tuesday begged forgiveness from the nation and said he was prepared to resign after his team was knocked out of the World Twenty20 at the group stage. The 2009 champion has been widely blasted by fans following a lackluster performance with just one victory against lowly ranked Bangladesh and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia. Team members were jeered on their return this weekend by huge crowds at Lahore airport, who chanted “Shame! Shame!“ Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board headquarters in Lahore Tuesday, Waqar said: “I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation.” The fast-bowling legend, who was hired as head coach for a second time in 2014 and whose contract is due to expire in May, added that he was prepared to stand down if it was in the team’s best interest, but stopped short of offering his resignation. “If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay,” he said. He also echoed calls made last week for a revamp of the country’s domestic structure, and added that the malaise stemmed from Pakistan’s lack of home games since 2009 militant attacks on the Sri Lankan team. “When there is no cricket at home then the foundation will for sure become weak,” he said. “We don’t need stars, we need heroes,” Waqar said outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as he headed to a ‘fact-finding meeting’ called up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “Pakistan cricket is facing numerous problems at present and many of those can’t be spoken about in public,” Waqar told reporters. “It’ll be better to discuss it all in the PCB boardroom.” The 44-year-old former captain said Pakistan’s decline on the international stage had left him deeply ‘hurt’. “We need to dig deep to recognize and find those heroes.” PCB’s fact-finding committee convenes in Lahore from Tuesday for a three-day period. The committee, which includes Test captain Misbahul Haq and senior batsman Younis Khan, has been given the mandate by the board to meet and talk to the captain, coach, manager and senior players of the national team. Pakistan’s early exit prompted a wave of criticism in the cricket mad country, with veterans like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik singled out in particular. Afridi is expected to make a decision about his future very soon.