Spot-fixing scandal proved "big plus" for Pak cricket team: Waqar Younis

Islamabad, Jan 20 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain and Coach Waqar Younis has said the spot-fixing scandal and other controversies, which hit Pakistan cricket in 2010, only made the players stronger, leading them to perform consistently from the last 18 months.

"I am really proud of them the way they have responded to all the criticism and skepticism that has come their way following the spot-fixing scandal," the Daily Times quoted Waqar, as saying.

"After the spot-fixing scandal and controversies, I thought the players were determined to show everyone what Pakistan cricket is all about. I felt they realised that the only way to respond to the crisis was to perform well and let the results speak for themselves. It is not that this team have been doing well in recent months, they have been performing consistently well for the last 18 months," he added.

Waqar, who stepped down as the head coach of the Pakistan team last September after the tour to Zimbabwe over personal and health reasons, said the players have responded well to all the criticism.

"Look at the adverse conditions we have faced in last few years. Teams are not touring Pakistan. Then we had the spot-fixing scandal. Still for the team to do so well it is a big plus for us," he added. (ANI)