Lahore: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has urged the national selection committee to look for a new wicketkeeper, who can replace Kamran Akmal, in the national team.

“This debate over the wicketkeeper’s performance is a difficult one, but I think the Pakistan team now needs a younger wicketkeeper who can carry the load for the next few years,” Waqar told the media in Lahore where he held a meeting with the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt.

Adnan Akmal, the younger brother of Kamran, and Sarfaraz Ahmed are said to be the front runners for the position as both have played for Pakistan in the past.

Waqar, meanwhile, made it clear that he would complete his coaching contract with Pakistan, despite their semi-final loss against arch-rivals India in the World Cup.

The former Test captain said he had one year remaining as Pakistan coach and would continue to do the job as he was satisfied with the performance of the team in the World Cup.

“Losing the semi-final to India was disappointing, but the team did well to reach the last four stage even though we were considered under-dogs when the competition started.

“India played better than us and went on to win the World Cup,” he noted.

Waqar also pointed out that 260 runs was an attainable score in the semi-final, but the real difference between the two teams was the catches dropped by Pakistan.

“Those catches cost us heavily because you can’t allow so much levy to a strong batting line up that India has.”

Waqar said he wanted to be part of the process where new players were being inducted into the team, which was being given a new look.

“I am in support of making changes in the team but they should not be total changes and it should be a sensible and a gradual process to groom new players.”

The Pakistan coach played down the controversy over the World Cup trophy after a furore in the Indian media about the Indian team being given a replica as the original one was confiscated by Indian custom authorities.

“I don’t think it really matters whether it was a replica or the original one since the main thing is the feeling of becoming world champions once you win the final,” he said. (PTI)