Situation not right for cricket behind close doors, says Waqar Younis

Pakistan's fast bowling great Waqar Younis felt that cricket behind closed doors should be held when the coronavirus pandemic is contained.

Published : Apr 06, 2020 16:37 IST

Pakistan's bowling coach Waqar Younis felt that playing cricket in the current situation could worsen the effects caused by coronavirus.
Pakistan's bowling coach Waqar Younis felt that playing cricket in the current situation could worsen the effects caused by coronavirus.
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Pakistan's bowling coach Waqar Younis felt that playing cricket in the current situation could worsen the effects caused by coronavirus.

Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis on Monday said he is not in favour of cricket resuming in empty stadiums amid the COVID-19 pandemic as he feels the desperate plan would end up creating more problems while the world battles a worsening health crisis.

During a video conference with journalists on Monday, Waqar said there shouldn’t be any cricket at the moment. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 65,000 deaths so far globally.

“No I don’t agree with this suggestion that cricket activities should resume soon even before empty stadiums,” he said.

Some former cricket stars and officials of cricket boards have said that the game can resume slowly and matches can be held in front of empty stadiums with the proper precautions in place for teams, officials and other ground staff.

“I think maybe in five or six months’ time. When things are under control around the world and we get back some normalcy in life, we can think about matches behind closed doors,” the former fast bowler said.

“At some stage we need to think about these choices but not this month or next month...the situation is not right for any cricket activities,” he added.

READ: A glittering ending to the Lanka, Sanga, Mahela Tale

Waqar also made it clear that he was very keen to see the T20 World Cup held this year in Australia even if slightly delayed.

“Whenever I have played for Pakistan as a player or been a coach with the Pakistan team it has always been my desire to see the team win a major ICC title. That is why this World T20 is so important for me and the team,” he said.

“I would like to be the part of a management where we can win a major title,” he added.

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