The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering to part ways with Misbah ul Haq after team’s dismal performance in the recently concluded series in New Zealand, according to sources. Wasim Khan, PCB’s CEO has also shown disappointment on Pakistan’s Test rankings.
The PCB has expressed concern over the dip in Pakistan’s performances since Misbah took over in September 2019. The recent clean sweep against the Kiwis in the Test series seems to be the last straw.
Yesterday, Pakistan’s former fast bowler and Lahore Qalandar’s head coach Aaqib Javed also bashed Misbah for his pathetic coaching and said that he is not suitable for the job. “No club team in the world will take Misbah ul Haq as coach.” He further said that PCB made a big mistake in appointing him as the coach.
Shoaib Jatt, a sports journalist is of the opinion that removing Misbah ul Haq will not be an easy task for the PCB’s management as he still has one more year remaining in his contract. He confirmed that the management and selectors are under pressure because of team’s poor show recently.
Since Misbah took over, Pakistan has now lost five Test matches away from home. Two against Australia in 2019, two in the recently concluded series while one in England. In total, Pakistan has played eight test matches under Misbah and have won only two. Both wins came at home against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Pakistan have slipped from the top spot in the T20 rankings to number four since Misbah’s arrival. The main reason behind this was the unnecessary changes in the team personnel and captain that damaged the momentum and harmony of the team.
Mansoor Rana, Pakistan’s team manager has been asked to submit the New Zealand tour report as soon as possible.
Misbah is likely to face some hard questions next week, for the below-par performances in the PCB Cricket Committee which will be headed by Saleem Yousuf.
The PCB Cricket Committee will hold its first meeting next week, under Saleem Yousuf, the new chairman. Misbah will be facing some tough questions about team’s pathetic performance in the past one year.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani will meet Misbah, Waqar Younis, the bowling coach and Younis Khan separately to discuss team performance.
With a packed home schedule coming up where Pakistan has to play series against South Africa, England and West Indies, the PCB needs to make some important decisions quickly. According to sources, a member of the cricket committee has been tasked to find a foreign coach.
A video of PCB’s Chief Executive Wasim Khan is making rounds in which he is clearly showing his frustration over team performance. He said ‘We were number one in the Test rankings a few years ago and now we are sitting at number 7.”
