Waqar calls for rotational policy to give youngsters more chance

Lahore, Jun.3 (ANI): Backing skipper Shahid Afridi's call for injecting young blood in the national squad, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has asked country's cricket administrators to put in place a rotation policy to give more chances to new players during the busy schedule ahead.

"We are starting a hectic period with the Asia Cup but I think the England tour is very important for the team, where we need to adopt a rotation policy and I think some new players will come into the fray," The Daily Times quoted Waqar, as saying.

While hinting that Pakistan's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the subsequent tour of England would include a few new faces, Waqar said the idea is to build a strong squad for the future.

"I think the objective behind naming a number of youngsters is to encourage them and it is important that players be rotated because we have a series against South Africa in October-November this year as well," he said.

Pakistan would be naming its final-15 for the June 15-24 Asia Cup today (Thursday).

Pakistan has a packed calendar ahead starting with the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. They then play Australia in two Twenty20 and two Tests in England before taking on the hosts in four Tests, two Twenty20 and five one-day games.

Waqar also backed Afridi's selection to lead the team in Test matches, saying the swashbuckling all rounder has succeeded in uniting the team, which is an important factor.

"Afridi has not led Pakistan in Tests before. But he conducted himself well in the World Twenty20 and unity and fighting spirit would be the key to success and he can achieve both from the team," he said.

Waqar added Pakistan needed the services of Mohammad Yousuf, who retired from all forms of cricket in protest against the PCB's indefinite ban.

"Yousuf seems to be adamant on his retirement and although we need him for Tests, we cannot force him out of retirement," he said. (ANI)