Misbah, Waqar Step Down As Pakistan Coaches Hours After T20 WC Team Announcement
Mumbai: Pakistan men’s national cricket team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have resigned from their respective roles. He informed the Pakistan Cricket Board about his decisions late on Monday morning.
With the New Zealand side arriving on 11 September for three ODIs and five T20 Internationals and the Pakistan side gathering in Islamabad on 8 September, the PCB appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series with the the team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course.
“Misbah and Waqar were appointed in September 2019 and still had a year each left in their contracts,” PCB said in its official statement.
Misbah-ul-Haq said: “Quarantine in Jamaica after the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the schedule of international cricket over the past 24 months as well as further international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.”
“I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step in and take the side forward. The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan,” he added.
Waqar Younis said: “After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together. Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days.”
“The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be brighter days ahead,” he added.
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