Curious case of Waqar's career - avg 18 in first 32 tests and avg 28 in next 55

[Nikhil_cric]

1 hour ago, JaFanatic said:

He was 22-31 yrs old through this second phase which is the peak period for a fast bowler. Not sure how come age be a factor in this decline. He just performed to his potential which isn't as good as some make it out to be. 

That is obviously not his real age. 

[New guy]

1 hour ago, JaFanatic said:

He was 22-31 yrs old through this second phase which is the peak period for a fast bowler. Not sure how come age be a factor in this decline. He just performed to his potential which isn't as good as some make it out to be. 

He was definitely one of them who had age fudged big time. No one retired at 32 years of age.

[maniac]

Many factors: more cameras and technology, neutral umpires, getting predictable with lengths,injuries, probably 5/6 years older than his official age so lost the peak quickly.

 

still much  skillful bowler in his later career.

[Texan]

He lost his pace after few injuries and aged. Also, ball tampering was more closely watched by umpires after it got busted. As a result, from the mid 90s, Waqar never seemed like a threatening bowler who could run through sides. He got the odd wicket or two, but wasn't a match-winner.

 

In the early part of his career, when he was able to reverse swing the ball, he was pretty much unplayable. There is a famous video of Brian Lara getting bowled and also falling over by an inswinging yorker bowled at a searing pace by Waqar. That was peak Waqar.