FORMER Dunfermline Cricket Club pro Waqas Ahmed feels that he can get the McKane Park outfit back on the rails.

A chance meeting has persuaded Waqas to return to McKane, where he spent seven highly successful years as a professional in the early-2000s.

The tall right-arm fast bowler and hard-hitting bat sees it as a challenge to get the club, who played in a Scottish Cup final only four years ago, back to winning cricket matches.

Since that final Dunfermline have dropped out of the National League and last season won only one league game in East League Division One but stayed up due to league reconstruction.

The 6'6" all-rounder, now in his mid-thirties, is making a name for himself as a coach in Pakistani cricket and was encouraged to come to Britain by the Pakistani Cricket Association as part of his coaching development.

Waqas told Press Sport, "When I was here as pro we managed to get into the First Division and we won a lot of games, so I was surprised to find how difficult things had got.

"However, I had seven mavellous years here and love the town and have a great many friends in Dunfermline, so when I was offered the chance of being player-coach I grabbed it.

"Clearly we need to rebuild and I must say that already I am impressed with some of the players we have recruited for this season. Jordan Low, from St Andrews University, is a very useful-looking batsman and a decent bowler while Tab Ali and Qasim also look impressive.

"Captain Asad Amir is also a very good player so my main aim is to help him out on the pitch with my own performances and at the same time use my coaching experience to give the lads tips which can help them develop their skills." Waqas is also looking forward to coaching the club's youngsters at their Friday net sessions.

"In Pakistan I have spent quite a bit of time recently coaching at under-19 level and I have found it a very rewarding experience," he went on.

"My aim is to get as high up the coaching ladder as possible and I am sure that my second time at Dunfermline is going to help me in this. This season is a fresh start for everyone at McKane Park and hopefully we can get out act together and move up the league table.

"It will not happen overnight but from watching the players in the nets there is some good talent to work on and it is my job to help them become much better players."