Pak need fast bowlers, but fit ones: Waqar

Karachi: The Asia Cup brought Pakistan cricket face to face with many realities. Dumped out on their home turf; they have the next few months to ponder over the areas of concern. CNN-IBN spoke to former Pakistan great Waqar Younis for his take on the road ahead.

Waqar Younis: I think there is definitely talent missing in the Pakistan team. You don't see the sort of talent we had in the 1990s. We don't have the kind of fast bowlers we had back then, Wasim, myself, Imran, Aaqib Javed, and so many of them. We are struggling.

The bowlers Pakistan have got now like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif — they have been real bad boys in the midst of all sorts of problems, while Umar Gul was unfortunate to have been ruled out because of injury. Otherwise, we do have a pretty balanced side. If you look at Pakistan's batting, the middle order is pretty strong. Opener Salman Butt is also getting runs, and young Nasir Jamshed is also coming along. I don't think Pakistan will have problems on that front.

CNN-IBN: Pakistan have a history of producing fast bowlers. How sad do you feel when you don't see a good fast bowler in the Pakistani side?

Waqar Younis: Cricket is such a game where you get such periods of time when you have some superb cricketers in your team, while you also have times when you are looking for them with a couple of seniors retired.

You do struggle, and it happens with every team, not just with Pakistan. West Indies are a prime example. No one can even think of the way they have gone down. It's a similar situation with Pakistan.

CNN-IBN: The Lahore High Court has said that Shoaib Akhtar's ban is suspended and he is available for selection. Do you think he will be welcomed back in the side? What does he need to do now? Will you pick him if you were the selector?

Waqar Younis: I will pick a fit Shoaib Akhtar. To bring him into full fitness should be the first priority. He didn't look very fit in the IPL as well. He looked big and bulky. He needs to lose a lot of weight, he needs to work really hard to come back into the Pakistan side. Pakistan do need fast bowlers, but fit ones.

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