For pace legends, it’s easier done than said

Helpless isn't the word you normally associate with a sultan of swing or the 'white lightning'. Certainly not in the days when you watched them steaming into cagey batsmen from the safety of your clubhouse seat. Somshuvra Laha reports.

Helpless isn't the word you normally associate with a sultan of swing or the 'white lightning'. Certainly not in the days when you watched them steaming into cagey batsmen from the safety of your clubhouse seat.

And yet, more than ten years after international retirement, Waqar Younis and Allan Donald are being forced to sit in their dugouts and watch their boys being flayed by marauding batsmen.

While Pune Warriors have never really matched up to the standards set by their South African coach, Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling unit had looked compact until inside a week they crumbled against Chennai Super Kings at home and on Monday at Wankhede, where they conceded 50 runs in two overs.

Staying Straight
For Younis, bowling straight is the key in Twenty20. And though Dale Steyn has lived up to that expectation over and over again, Amit Mishra, who Younis thought is a match-winner, was slaughtered by Kieron Pollard.

It isn't the best feeling. In fact, Younis says it's the worst part of coaching.

Donald has seen worse. In their last 12 matches, Pune Warriors have conceded an average of 50 runs in the last four overs, according to statistics Donald has pulled up. "That has caused big damage psychologically. It's tough to sit in the dugout and take the losses," Donald said on Tuesday. "I have never been in such situations in my playing career."

The same could be said for Younis. All that the illustrious duo can do now is to impart knowledge and hope for the best.

They can't go back to their bowling mark and plan fresh assaults, either with that classical high release or the straining action that produced those full-pitched banana swings.

"It's been ten years since I left playing. I don't wish any of that," said Younis.