Role of fast bowlers more important - Waqar

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has said the role of fast bowlers is more important than spinners, even in subcontinental conditions where pitches are generally slower and conducive to spin. Australia have relied heavily on pace in this tournament, Kemar Roach bagged a six-for that included a hat-trick for West Indies against Netherlands and Lasith Malinga returned to the Sri Lankan side with a hat-trick against Kenya.

"Not only World Cup but generally in cricket, the fast bowlers's role is always bigger than the spinners," Waqar said on the eve of Pakistan's game against Canada. "In the subcontinent we start talking we need more spinners, I think out of 50, 30 overs are bowled by fast bowlers so their role is lot more important."

Pakistan, too, will be banking heavily on fast bowlers; they have five in their squad of 15 - Shoaib Akhtar, Junaid Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul. "We have seen here so far that fast bowlers have done a splendid job so we are preserving and making sure our fast bowlers are nice and ready and doing the right things at the right time."

Malinga missed the game against Pakistan, where Sri Lanka were beaten by 11 runs. Pakistan, batting first at the Premadasa, posted 277. "I can't say Malinga would have made a huge difference against us but definitely he is one of the best bowlers in this tournament."

Malinga was lethal against the Kenya batsmen, who had no answers to his yorkers. He finished with a six-wicket haul and said he'd learnt the art watching Wasim Akram and Waqar. "Kenyans are not the toughest but still he bowled straight every time with the yorkers, it is pleasing to see because it reminds you of your own good days. As long as he doesn't do it against us I am happy.

Malinga's slinging action, Waqar added, helped him generate reverse-swing, making him more threatening. "He has learnt by looking at me or Wasim but I also think that his action is such that it suits reverse-swing, which is the key. Everybody knows how to do it now, everybody knows how the ball goes, but not many people can do it.

"He has a unique action, a slingy action which I had as well, that is why it is more effective. Commentators were explaining it right that the ball dips at the last second. That is key, especially with this white ball. When it gets greyish, in the evening it gets very difficult to sight it, especially with his slingy action. Never easy, ball dipping at the last second."