If you are asked to name the three greatest fast bowlers in the history of Pakistan cricket, Waqar Younis would certainly be one of them. His deadly Yorkers made life difficult for batters. Taking nearly 800 international wickets is no easy feat.

After retirement, Waqar Younis took on various roles, including coaching and commentary. He was associated with the PCB in different capacities, but his journey did not end pleasantly. Differences with players surfaced, but regardless of the outcomes, his intentions were always clear. He never prioritized personal ego; otherwise, he would never have accepted becoming the deputy coach to his junior, Misbah-ul-Haq.

Whenever the board called him, he would come from Australia to Pakistan. This time is no different. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is trying hard to improve domestic cricket, though time constraints are a challenge since he is also the Interior Minister and very busy. Criticism has arisen due to this, with PCB being accused of distancing itself from cricketers. Legal experts have risen to COO positions, and Wahla has succeeded in reaching the post of Director of International Cricket. Generally, the chairman is a non-cricketer.

Recently, the large post handed to Ramiz Raja also proved to be problematic. He organized the Pakistan Junior League to keep his name alive and take credit, which cost billions. Many journalists and personalities, including myself, requested Mohsin Naqvi to bring a cricketer on board. Now, he has done that by handing cricketing affairs over to Waqar Younis.

However, the delay in the media advertisement for his appointment became a laughingstock. Either the appointment of Waqar Younis should not have leaked or it should have been announced after the advertisement. Issuing an ad after he had already taken up the role seemed ridiculous. PCB has a long-standing tradition of issuing advertisements for formal procedures post-appointment. The current chairman needs to find an appropriate solution for this.

Pakistan cricket faces numerous challenges these days, the biggest being a lack of unity in the team. The same players were performing well earlier, but when the tried-and-tested "divide and rule" formula was applied, they turned against each other, dreaming of captaincy. This affected the team's performance, and now things are out of hand. Waqar Younis is highly respected; he should first bring Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi together and ask them to resolve their differences, then leave them alone in a room to clear the air. If the previous environment is restored, this team can win you the Champions Trophy.

The issue of NOC for leagues is also significant. Senior players harbor resentment over not receiving dollars from Canada, but the situation is not such that they can express their anger. Waqar Younis will need to formulate a policy for this. If anyone is suffering, the board should compensate a little, which wouldn't hurt. Mohsin Naqvi should place the International Cricket Department under Waqar Younis. Any series arrangements, scheduling preparations, should be handled by a cricketer for better results.

Currently, while other teams were preparing for the World Cup in the USA, the Pakistani team was busy playing in England. This shouldn't be the case. Waqar Younis should not just be kept as a "cricketer's face"; responsibilities should be given to him. If he is brought in, give him full authority, including forming a selection committee and deciding on the captain. If, God forbid, appropriate results are still not achieved, questions should be asked.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of educated cricketers in Pakistan familiar with English. You don't have many options. Initially, efforts were made to bring Wasim Akram into the board, but he refused. Now Waqar Younis has come. Similarly, domestic cricket affairs should be handed over to a former cricketer.

Mohsin Naqvi's decision to hold competitions at the school, college, and university levels is excellent, as it will undoubtedly bring new talent to the country. Domestic cricket should also be improved, as it will build a strong bench strength for Pakistan. PCB is planning changes in the domestic setup again, which unfortunately happens with every change in the board. The extent of the benefit remains to be seen.

Some former cricketers have told me that the plans are good, and if implemented, improvement is inevitable. Cricket is our only sport left where hopes of winning global titles still exist. Although the team's performance in this year World Cup was not good, improvement is not impossible. The appointment of Waqar Younis is a positive step in this direction; he needs to take everyone along.

It is good that the board clarified today that no disciplinary committee is being formed nor any action will be taken against any cricketer. Rumors were rampant. Players need confidence now, not punishment. Resting someone for cricketing reasons is fine, but dropping them under the guise of disciplinary action is not appropriate. Surely, Waqar Younis understands this too. As a coach or administrator, regardless of the past, Waqar Bhai, do not disappoint this time. Everyone has high hopes for you.