Pakistan star Waqar quits cricket
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, sacked as captain and axed from the team after last year's World Cup failure, retired from cricket on Monday.
"It is a sad day for me, but the right time to go," the 32-year-old told a media conference organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Islamabad.
"I thought I could have played for a year or so, but I lost the hunger because the selectors did not consider me good enough to represent the country any more."
"I have not decided on my future. It could be media work or coaching, but something definitely related to cricket."
Waqar, who formed a formidable pace combination with Wasim Akram, made his Pakistan debut at Karachi in 1989.
He played 87 Tests in which he claimed 373 wickets at a superb average of 23.56 and also took 416 wickets in 262 one-day internationals.
"It was great bowling alongside Akram, he contributed to 50 percent of my success," Waqar said of the legendary left-arm seamer who finished with 414 Test and a world record 502 one-day wickets.
"We shared the burden and complemented each other. I was proud to be part of a partnership that was referred to as the two Ws of Pakistan cricket.
"People sometimes talk of the rivalry and controversy between us. It was nothing serious. In fact, any rivalry was a healthy one and good for the team.
"We started the trend of reverse swing which initially raised a few eyebrows. Now everyone seems to have learnt the art."
Waqar, whose family was present at the media conference, termed former Pakistan captain Imran Khan as his "godfather and mentor."
"Imran did not teach me how to bowl, but he taught me how to win matches and have the right approach towards cricket," Waqar said.
Fittingly, former Pakistan captain Imran Khan led a chorus of glowing tributes saying Waqar "was a thinking cricketer and at his peak he was the most destructive bowler the game had seen."
Imran added: "When I spotted him in the late 1980s and brought him into the Pakistan team, he learnt fast and progressed by leaps and bounds.
"He was physically very fit and mentally very tough and resilience was his strongest point.
Waqar admitted: "There were some regrets...like missing out, due to injury, the 1992 World Cup which Pakistan won and not being able to play a lot against India.
"I played with my heart, that's why I played so long. I want to be remembered as a decent cricketer who did his best for the team and the country."
