KOLKATA - Roped in to train upcoming pacers from West Bengal, Pakistani legend Waqar Younis said Saturday it's the attitude rather than the pitch that makes a fast bowler. "In this part of the world you don't get fast tracks but we, especially Pakistan, have been producing some great pacers over the years. So it's not about the pitch, rather the attitude that makes a pacer," said Waqar during the unveiling of a coaching initiative by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
"It's the attitude, the mindset which is the key and nothing else. Besides that, you also need the hunger to excel, to develop and to go ahead." A brainchild of former India captain Sourav Ganguly, the coaching initiative will witness Waqar and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan sharing their expertise and nurturing young bowlers from West Bengal.
Looking forward to the India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming World Twenty20, Waqar hopes key all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is nursing a hamstring injury, gets fit in time. "Both the teams are balanced. I am hoping for an exciting and good game. While for India the good news is that Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina are back in the team, for Pakistan it is essential that Afridi recovers in time," said the 42-year-old. The arch-rivals will be locking horns March 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Talking about the world's current fast bowlers, Waqar picked up South African Dale Steyn as the best. "Steyn is one of the best cricket world has seen in the past 20-30 years. For me, he is definitely the No.1 bowler." Waqar rejected reports of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offering him a coaching job with the national team. "PCB has not promised me anything about a coaching," said Waqar.
The former Pakistan skipper credited Ganguly for developing a positive attitude in the Indian team.
"Ganguly brought aggression in the team and changed the outlook. I have played against India before his arrival so I can say that there was a marked difference -- a positive intent in the team with Ganguly as the captain," added Waqar.