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Pakistan cricket team captain Waqar Younis claimed that seniors and juniors, both have disappointed the nation by losing all three Tests against Australia by humiliating margins especially in the second and third Tests at Sharjah.

Addressing a press conference Friday, Waqar said that Pakistan lost the series because it inducted several young players, however, he admitted the failure of the seniors also, including himself who failed to perform up to the expectations.

Waqar, while accepting the team's dismal performance pointed out that their opponents were the best team in the world.

Waqar explained that personally his morale was high and he hoped the induction of Inzamamul Haq, Yousuf Youhana and more senior players would strengthen the team for its tour of Zimbabwe, starting from Nov 1.

Asked as to why he did not follow PCB chief's example by resigning, Waqar countered that he was not a "coward" and as a cricketer he would fight against reverses.

He did not agree with a questioner that Pakistan cricket was passing through its darkest era. "Bad patches are the part of the game and I still believe the Pakistan team will again show better performance in near future", he said.

While elaborating at length on the series, he stated that the juniors performed well in the opening Test in Colombo which raised the expectations of the nation. But the Australians did their home work in the next two Test to emerge worthy winners.

When asked if he would find a place in the One-day side as PCB is contemplating to make Test and One-day teams, separately, Waqar said "let the time come".

Regarding team selection, he claimed that the decision nottoinclude leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in the team for the first Test in Colombo was taken after inspecting the pitch. However, the journalists were not satisfied with the response, as they contended with the response that spinners of either side had performed superbly, citing the example of Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne who took 11wickets in that Test (seven for 94 in the first innings and four for94 in the second knock) and Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq capturing eight wickets (four for 136 in the first innings and four for 46 in the second).

Similarly questioned about the exclusion of Mohammad Zahid and Rana Naveed-ul- Hassan throughout the series, Waqar said that he had the policy to provide proper chances to every player. For that he could not drop Mohammad Sami who was with the teamforthelast18 months and now he should get regular chances.

He was optimistic that a strong team would be fielded for the next year World Cup to be held in South Africa, and explained that young players would get an opportunity to prove their mettle as there was a lot of cricket to be played before the mega event.

He dispelled the impression that the players could face burn out because the national side had to play four Tests and 10 One-day matches before the World Cup.

Waqar avoided a direct reply about the incident concerning Yousuf Youhana in Kenya, as a result of which the batsman was sent home by Waqar. "I have informed the PCB about that incident and I am not in a position to explain it before the press", Waqar said,

He admitted that the decision of sending back Youhana was made in haste and the matter could have been resolved there, but added it was an unanimous decision of the team management. He promised that no such incident would be happened in future. He denied that any grouping existed in the team.

Waqar was all praise for new coach Richard Pybus and deemed him as suitable for the job than the sacked Mudassar Nazar.

© Dawn