SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, 25 October — Pakistan, one of the most talented sides in world cricket, are also the most unpredictable.

A woeful defeat within two days to Australia in the second Test prompted cricket board chief Tauqir Zia to submit his resignation.

It has also put added pressure on captain Waqar Younis, who reflected on Wednesday on the present crisis on the 50th anniversary of his country’s international debut.

"What happened in the second Test cannot be reversed," Waqar said. "But we know we have to work really hard to come back with a far improved performance."

Because of security fears within Pakistan, the team have been forced to play their three-Test series against Australia at neutral venues, which also depresses Waqar.

"It is a sad situation," he said. "It is not easy for anyone but this is something which is beyond our control and cannot be helped."

Although Pakistan have always had the ability to defeat any country in the world, their only consistent success came under the captaincy of Imran Khan in the late 1980s.

The patrician all-rounder, the finest cricketer in his country’s history, imposed his authority with the assistance of the master batsman Javed Miandad.

"I think the late 1980s and the 1990s were a very important period for transformation in our cricket," Waqar said. "We learned how to win matches and our record at home and abroad speaks for itself.

"We won against almost any team. Imran did a wonderful job but it is also a fact that in those days he was totally independent and his word was final as only he and Javed were in the top bracket.

"It was a situation where many players were just making their mark and this helped Imran and Javed to forge a strong combination and we won consistently."

Waqar is in an altogether different situation.

"When you have six or seven established players, many of them former captains themselves, then you have many different opinions on how to approach a situation," he said.

Despite Pakistan’s abject batting in the second Test, when they were dismissed for 59 and 53, Waqar sees hope for the future.

"The number of exciting players we produce is remarkable," he said. "What is more remarkable is that despite the many controversies associated with our cricket, we have still managed consistently well."

Waqar was not a member of the side who beat England in the 1992 World Cup final, Imran’s last match for his country.

But form and fitness permitting he will take part in next year’s tournament in South Africa and Zimbabwe, although he is more concerned with rebuilding Pakistan cricket.

"This is a difficult time for us," he said. "We have lost senior players to injuries and other problems. "The youngsters are being exposed to top-level cricket. But I remain confident that the results will start coming soon.

"The target is not to just win the World Cup but to prepare a nucleus of new players who can serve Pakistan cricket for the next 10 years."