Confident Waqar Younis aims to take down Australia

Waqar was last week appointed the bowling and fielding coach of the Pakistan team for the three-Test series beginning with the Boxing Day clash in Melbourne.

The Sydney-based former fast bowler believes the current Australian team is vulnerable and the series offers his team a fine opportunity to score a rare series win.

"I believe we have a team that is capable of beating Australia for the first time in a Test series," Waqar said.

"Australia are definitely beatable at the moment, but Pakistan's players need to put in a lot of hard work and commitment.

"It's an important series because if you do well against Australia you reach the top of the world."

Pakistan are currently engaged in a Test series in New Zealand - they had a bad first day in the series decider today.

And the team's poor performance in the field in the first Test, which the visitors lost narrowly, has come in for severe criticism.

Waqar admitted there was room for improvement.

"Our bowling is fine, but we are weak in the fielding department," he said.

"We need to show lot of improvement and this is something I want to work on very closely with the players."

Waqar also felt Younus Khan's absence would be felt.

"He has a great record in Australia and his experience and batting skills are invaluable," he said.

"But we have to manage without him now."

Waqar's brief only extends to the end of the Australia series after which the Pakistan Cricket Board will review his contract.