da leao： Incumbent captain Waqar Younis will lead Pakistan at least until the end of the 2003 World Cup, according to new team manager KhawajaNasir
CricInfo02-Oct-2002Incumbent captain Waqar Younis will lead Pakistan at least until the end of the 2003 World Cup, according to new team manager KhawajaNasir.Nasir, a retired brigadier, who has been freshly appointed following thedismissal of Yawar Saeed during the ICC Champions Trophy, looked to squashrumours that Waqar was under pressure for his position after a recentdownturn in the team’s performance.Speaking at the official launch of the Australia-Pakistan Test series atColombo, Nasir said: “He (Waqar) has been categorically told by the chairmanof the Pakistan Cricket Board, General Zia, who is here in Sri Lanka, that he will captain theteam in the 2003 World Cup.”Waqar claimed to be unconcerned by speculation that he faced the axe unlessthere was a quick revival to the team’s fortunes during forthcoming seriesagainst Australia and Zimbabwe.”I have never been worried about whether I am captain or not,” he said. “Ihave that job at the moment and I will concentrate on doing my best so thatPakistan win.”Pakistan will play three Test matches against Australia starting Thursdaywithout the services of key players, including leading batsmenInzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana, who are both injured, veteran fastbowler Wasim Akram and opener Saeed Anwar, who have decided to take a break.