I beg forgiveness from nation, ready to resign: Coach Waqar

Pakistan’s chief coach Waqar Younis on Tuesday asked for forgiveness from the nation and said he was ready to resign for the team’s disastrous outing in the ICC World Twenty20.

Pakistan failed to clear the group stage and the campaign included a six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India.

Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board headquarters here, Younis said: “I place my hands together and beg forgiveness from the nation.”

The legendary fast bowler, who was hired as coach for a second time in 2014 and whose contract is due to expire in May, added that he was prepared to stand down if it was in the team’s best interest.

“If my leaving makes things better, then I would do it without delay,” he said.

The 2009 champions have been widely blasted by fans following their lacklustre performance with just one victory against lowly ranked Bangladesh.

The cricketers returned to a hostile reception in Lahore and Karachi after their campaign, which also included big losses against New Zealand and Australia, came to an abrupt end. Team members were jeered on their return this weekend by huge crowds who chanted “Shame! Shame!”

Waqar also called for a revamp of the country’s domestic structure, and added that the malaise stemmed from Pakistan’s lack of home games since 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team. “When there is no cricket at home then the foundation will for sure become weak,” he said.