PESHAWAR: Pakistan cricket team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have resigned from their position hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named 15-member-squad for T20 world cup on Monday.
The PCB has appointed former test cricketers Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the home series against New Zealand. According to a statement issued by the PCB, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said in his resignation letter: “I have reviewed my 24 months performance during quarantine in Jamaica and come to a conclusion that I will not be able to face the challenges ahead.” Haq was quoted as saying that he wanted to spend more time with family.
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Malik, Sarfaraz dropped as PCB names T20 World Cup squad
On the other hand, Waqar Younis was quoted as saying that “after Misbah resigned he will also be not available for the national team.” Younis said that he is satisfied to have work with the young bowlers of Pakistan cricket team. Regarding the resignation of both the coaches, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said that the PCB respects their decisions. “In the last 24 months, Misbah-ul-Haq has devoted all his energies to Pakistan cricket,” Waseem said, adding that Waqar has also made a “bold decision”.
Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis were appointed head coach and bowling coach of the national cricket team in September 2019 respectively. The New Zealand cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on September 12 to play three ODIs and five T20 Internationals. The Pakistan team will arrive in Islamabad on September 8.
Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis resigned after the PCB named 15-member squad for series against New Zealand, England and T20 World Cup on Monday morning, bringing back Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah but former captains Sarfaraz Ahmad, Shoiab Malik, opening batter Sharjeel Khan and fast bowler Muhammad Amir were left out of the squad.
The ICC World Twenty20 will kick off in the UAE on October 17 while Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand will start on September 17. Chief selector in a press conference said that the team has been “selected according to the needs of the team and keeping in mind the conditions.”