Waqar retained skipper

By Rizwan Ehsan Ali

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 4. Pakistan retained Waqar Younis as captain for a three-Test home series against New Zealand and the two Asian Test Championship matches against Bangladesh and India.

However, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia said that the speedster would have to show his form and fitness to continue leading the side till the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. We would like to give Waqar an extended run but all depends on his form and fitness, Zia said on Saturday.

Waqar, who took 17 wickets in the triangular series against England and Australia, last month, replaced Moin Khan after the Sharjah tournament in April this year.

Pakistan is planned to host New Zealand for a three-Test series in September-October this year and then proceed to Sharjah for a triangular series. The PCB has also planned a two- Test series against Bangladesh early next year before hosting West Indies in March-April.

The PCB is also planning to offer contracts to a selected group of players before the first Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh at Multan starting from August 29. The PCB's initial plan is to award contract to at least six players.

Most of the senior players, like Waqar Younis and Saeed Anwar are contracted with Coca Cola, the main competitors of PCB's sponsors Pepsi.

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Section  : Sport
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