Waqar warms to life in the hot seat

Life was so simple for Waqar Younis when all he had to do was charge in and shatter stumps or toes with his 90mph swinging yorkers.

These days, though, Waqar has one of international cricket's more interesting roles. Indeed, in terms of job security, captaining Pakistan is almost as precarious as coaching them.

Richard Pybus, the Englishman who talks tactics and makes sure the players are in shape, is the ninth coaching appointment in four years.

Measured alongside that statistic, skippering arguably the most talented collection of cricketers in the world can be a relatively long-term occupation. But Waqar - appointed for this tour after the selectors lost patience with Moin Khan - may decide to waive contributions to any occupational pension scheme put in front of him.

"Captaincy is not an easy job," he admits. "But I'm enjoying it." When Pakistan arrived in England a fortnight ago, they were dogged by tales of serious disagreement between Waqar and his long-time fast-bowling partner Wasim Akram.

There were strong suggestions that Waqar did not want ex-captain Wasim in his party and, if he had to have him on board, would leave him out of the Test XI.

At least both men presented a united front in denying those rumours. Now, after three warm-up matches in Nottingham, Derby and Canterbury, Waqar insists all is sweetness and light.

"There is a very happy dressing room," he said. "The atmosphere is good, which I am very pleased about.

"To win a Test match you have to be together as a team, to be happy with one another, working hard and heading in the same direction."

Neither Wasim, 34, nor Waqar, 29, are in the premier league of out and out fast bowlers any more. But both still possess enough pace, in short bursts, to make batsmen hurry - and more than enough talent to embarrass them.

They've also had their moments as batsmen - few finer than when they combined at Lord's to guide Pakistan to a two-wicket win.

These days, though, Waqar has much more to worry about than his bowling and his tail-end batting.

"I try to devote more time to my bowling, rather than less, since becoming captain because there is probably more pressure on me now," he said.

"But I'm looking forward to these two Tests against England.

"It is a big challenge for me to play in this country again. I played most of my professional career here (for Surrey and then Glamorgan) and really enjoyed it. To win this series would be the icing on the cake."