Waqar Younis Cricket History

Waqar Younis used to play cricket for Pakistan and is widely considered to be one of the best fast bowlers ever. He was born in Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan, on November 16, 1971. Waqar started his cricket profession in 1987, addressing Pakistan in the under-19 World Cup.

01: Early Career:

Waqar's early career was marked by injury troubles, but he made a comeback in 1989, playing for Pakistan against India. He made an immediate impact, taking 4 wickets for just 38 runs. Waqar's bowling style was unique, as he relied heavily on reverse swing, a technique he learned from his former teammate, Imran Khan.

02: Rise to Fame:

Waqar's rise to fame came in the early 1990s, when he formed a formidable fast-bowling partnership with Wasim Akram. The duo terrorized batting lineups around the world, earning the nickname "the two Ws." Waqar's ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds made him a dangerous bowler, especially in helpful conditions. In 1993, he took 10 wickets in a test match against New Zealand, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat.

03: Career Highlights:

During his illustrious career, Waqar Younis played 87 test matches and took 373 wickets at an average of 23.56. He also played 262 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and took 416 wickets at an average of 23.84. Waqar's best bowling figures in a test match were 7/76, while in ODIs, he took 7/36, the best figures by a Pakistani bowler in ODI history.

Waqar's achievements in cricket include leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup and taking 22 wickets in the tournament, which was a record at the time. He also became the youngest captain of the Pakistani cricket team in 2000, leading the team in 17 test matches and 62 ODIs

04: Retirement and Coaching:

Waqar retired from international cricket in 2003 but continued to play in domestic cricket for a few more years. He then turned to coaching, becoming the bowling coach for the Pakistan national team in 2006. He was later appointed as the head coach in 2010, leading Pakistan to the semifinals of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He stepped down from the position in 2011 but returned as the head coach in 2014. Under his coaching, Pakistan reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup and won the 2016 Asia Cup.

Overall, Waqar Younis is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, with his skill and technique inspiring many young cricketers around the world.