‘To promote such a thing is absolutely ridiculous’ – Waqar Younis blasts Australian coach Justin Langer for backing Warner’s six off Hafeez
Pakistan legend Waqar Younis has slammed Australia coach for his support to David Warner after the double-bounce no-ball six incident.
The incident happened during the eighth over of the Australia innings. Mohammad Hafeez was brought on to keep the Australian scoring rate in check, but ended up bowling one which was far too short, and ended up bouncing twice before straying towards the leg-side. However, Warner was quick to react to the opportunity and proceeded to launch the ball into the stands.
This incident prompted a number of reactions from the cricketing community, with some questioning Warner’s actions here.
Recently, Waqar Younis also gave his take on the issue. Speaking on A Sports, he criticised the Langer’s praise for Warner in this matter. The Australia coach had earlier said: “Oh my gosh, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen in the game of cricket,” Langer had said while talking about Warner’s six. I can’t believe anyone would have the instincts to do that — it was unbelievable. In fact, most people probably would’ve been not sure what to do … it was a no-ball, and to have the talent and ability to hit it for six — unbelievable.”
“It’s fine, It is legal. He was within his right to hit it, and he went for it that’s all good. But to promote it is wrong. The way it’s being praised by Justin Langer, that is ridiculous. What are you teaching the little kids? You can do the same if that’s your mindset, but don’t teach the youngsters that it’s fine to go for it if you get the opportunity.”
He continued his attack on Langer by bringing up his past, imploring on Wasim Akram to recall Langer’s actions from the 1999 Hobart Test.
“We were on the verge of winning that Test. He got a nick but didn’t walk. And that’s the biggest nick I’ve ever heard.”
Wasim went on to add how Langer said that there was no edge after the game, but in his book he admitted there was one. Waqar then responded, adding another dimension to the story.
“No, no, he admitted two-three days later. At a function, we had a chat. Initially, he said that there was a click (off his bat), but I told him don’t give me this rubbish. And then he agreed to that, the fact that he had hit it. But, what do you want to promote?”
Here, Waqar also recalled the Courtney Walsh incident from the 1987 World Cup, “Had Courtney Walsh run-out the non-striker, Pakistan would have been knocked out of the World Cup. But he stopped, and asked Abdul Qadir to come back (The non-striker was in fact, Saleem Jaffar). And, then West Indies lost the game.”
You can view the incident here:
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