Waqar Younis blasts Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad - Here are his explosive remarks

New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis has hit out at two key members of the team he recently managed.

The bowling legend claimed Pakistan batsmen Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad did not have the passion to represent the team at the highest level.

"I sat with them many times and told them what I wanted from them. I sat with them ahead of the 2015 World Cup and told them what I and the team expected and needed, and what the nation wanted from them. I worked hard on them but unfortunately the passion is not there. The cricketing passion is missing from them. They need to realise that cricket isn’t just about making money, cricket is not a business and it’s about passion. Sometimes I got the impression that these youngsters don’t offer enough. They are thinking about too many other things and not about cricket," he was quoted as saying by Criclife website.

Waqar also went on to compare the current lot with the teams he was part of in the past.

"Look at the era when I played cricket, with the likes of Inzamam and Akram, these guys thought about nothing other than cricket. This is an area where I feel these youngsters are lacking. Umar and Ahmed need to pull their socks up if they want to get back into the team. Talent will only take you to a certain level, after that it’s hard work that will carry you forward. We have seen enough of their talent and if they are not prepared to work hard then we may not see them again in the Pakistan team," he further added.

Right through World T20, it was reported that Waqar did not get along with some of the players.

Akmal had in fact even complained to Imran Khan about his batting position during the coveted event.

It remains to be seen what the players now have to say after Waqar's explosive comments.