LONDON: Former Test pacer Muhammad Akram has suggested that Waqar Younis be appointed as a long term Pakistan coach at the end of the Australian tour.

Appointing Waqar as bowling and fielding coach for the Australia tour is a really good move by the Pakistan Cricket Board. But he should be made a full time coach at the conclusion of the series in Australia,’ Akram told UK-based website PakPassion.net.

Akram thought that for the Pakistani team to benefit fully from Waqar's experience he needs more than one series as bowling coach.

‘Appointing someone for one series is simply not good enough, as the coach will need time to get to know all the players whom he is going to be working with. At the end of the day every player is an individual and they are all different characters and learn at different speeds and in different ways. Waqar will need a bit of time before he can start to make a real difference,’ added Akram, now a British national.

The 35-year-old Islamabad-born cricketer with substantial county cricket experience behind him described Waqar as a fantastic person whose record speaks for itself.

‘He's someone who has performed at the highest level of all cricket, he's a cricketing legend and he'll be brilliant for the youngsters in the team to work with. Just having Waqar around them will benefit the boys and they will look up to him so much.’

As a former cricket commentator himself, Akram has noted the benefits of commenting on the game and said Waqar who has also been commentating for quite a few years has seen the game in a different perspective. He was of the view that as a coach Waqar stands to gain from this angle.

Noting that Waqar's previous stint as coach ended in acrimonious circumstances, Akram suggested giving the former captain a long term deal and a good financial package.

‘Give him the respect and authority he deserves and then we will all see the progress and improvement of the Pakistan team.’ - The Dawn

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