Misbah-ul-Haq Resigned After PCB Sought Explanation For England Tour Selections: Report
Misbah-ul-Haq, who has previously worked as the national team's head coach, chief selector and mentor, has been serving as a selector and batting coach at the high-performance centre since last year.
- PCB questioned selectors on the selection of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for England tour
- Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq offered to resign from the selection committee after PCB's notice
- Misbah was unhappy about squad changes and coaching staff removals without his consultation
There seems to be no end to the drama surrounding Pakistan cricket following the men's national team's disappointing performance in the ongoing Test series against England. After Pakistan's 194-run defeat in the Lord's Test, which handed England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally announced its decision to release seven players from the Test squad ahead of the final game, which gets underway next week. The PCB also decided to relieve head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul of their respective duties.
The fiasco did not stop there, as a day after the PCB's announcement, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reportedly decided to resign from the selection committee.
However, according to a report by news agency PTI, Misbah's offer came a day after the PCB issued a notice to members of the national selection committee seeking an explanation for the selection process adopted for the England tour.
The report revealed that the PCB had sought an explanation from the selectors regarding the rationale behind the selection of two players in particular, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
"The selectors have been told to explain on what basis Muhammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were picked in the Test squad," the report quoted a PCB official as saying.
Asad Shafiq and Aqib Javed are the other members of the committee.
Misbah, a former Pakistan captain who has worked in various capacities in the PCB since late 2019, was reportedly unhappy with the notice as well as the board's decision to make changes to the touring squad without consulting or informing him.
Misbah was particularly unhappy with being sidelined while decisions were taken in England to alter the team and remove the head coach and bowling coach.
"He has informed the board officials that he is ready to step down, but it was not right the way the board asked seven players to return from England and replaced them with other players with just one Test remaining in England," another source said.
Misbah, who has previously worked as the national team's head coach, chief selector and mentor, has been serving as a selector and batting coach at the high-performance centre since last year. He has also been fulfilling his media commitments and working with a franchise in the PSL.
(With PTI Inputs)
Pakistan Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Misbah-ul-Haq
Imam-ul-Haq