Waqar likely to be bowling coach

Waqar Younis is likely to be named the bowling coach of Pakistan for their tour of India. According to a report by Press Trust of India, Waqar has already given his verbal consent to the offer, which has the backing of Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach.

Commenting on the issue, Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, told PTI: "Yes he is under consideration but no negotiations have started. In the next few days we intend to write to him to seek his availability," Shaharyar said, adding, "We all know Waqar has recently been doing television assignments. We want to know if he is free during the Indian series so that we can utilise his services."

If Waqar does come on board to help out, it will be a huge boost for Pakistan, who might be forced to field an inexperienced bowling attack after injuries to several of their frontline bowlers. Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed have been ruled out, while Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Khalil are all doubtful.

Waqar had an outstanding record in international cricket, taking 373 Test wickets and 416 scalps in one-dayers, averaging less than 24 in both forms of the game. Known for his devastating inswinging yorkers, Waqar had a phenomenal strike-rate of 43.4 per wicket in Tests, third in the all-time list of bowlers with at least 100 wickets.