Pakistan cricket coach Younis resigns

Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis resigned Saturday, citing personal reasons, in the latest setback to hit the troubled team that has been riven by in-fighting and corruption scandals. "I have tendered my resignation to the Board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last," Waqar Younis, at the helm for less than 18 months, told a press conference ahead of this month's tour to the African country. The 39-year-old former fast bowler took over as coach in March 2010, but has since faced controversies including the spot-fixing scandal that led to lengthy bans for three cricketers, dissent from players, and differences with former one-day captain Shahid Afridi. "I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone. My resignation has been accepted by the (Pakistan Cricket) Board," said Waqar. Pakistan plays one practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on the tour of Zimbabwe, which starts on August 28. Waqar's differences with Afridi surfaced during Pakistan's tour of the West Indies in May this year, after which manager Intikhab Alam blamed both of them for creating problems within the team. Afridi retired from international cricket after being dumped as one-day captain in June, saying he will not return as long as Ijaz Butt remains the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Waqar is coach. Waqar was also reportedly unhappy with chief selector Mohsin Khan. However, the former fast bowler said Saturday that he had no complaints. "Had everything in my personal life -- that is, my wife's health and my own -- been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on my mind," said Waqar. Waqar, under whom Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup in March this year before losing to eventual champions India, called his time a the helm a "roller coaster". "It was a roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young boys have carried on the good work despite these problems," said Waqar. His first two Test series as coach -- against Australia and England, both played in England last year -- saw Test captain Salman Butt and key pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer caught up in the spot-fixing scandal. The corruption claims over the Test against England at Lord's in August resulted in lengthy bans for Butt, Asif and Aamer, and the trio also faces criminal proceedings in England. Waqar said the players had been shocked by his decision to quit. "I only told the players on Saturday morning, and they were shocked because until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that this young team will do well in future," said Waqar. PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told AFP, "The PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons. His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future." Waqar's resignation is the latest headache to hit the troubled national team, which will have to find another suitable coach before their October-November series against Sri Lanka. This will be followed by a tour of Bangladesh and a series against world number one Test team England early next year.