Misbah-ul-Haq to step down as the chief selector of Pakistan Cricket team

Former Pakistan captain and current chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq is all set to step down from his post following Pakistan’s poor performance under his tenure. The veteran had taken over the job after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not extend Mickey Arthur’s contract as Pakistan failed to reach the semis of the 2019 World Cup. Misbah had signed a three-year contract as the head coach of the team and the chief selector on September 4, 2019.

However, as the cricketer failed to change the fortunes of the team, he is forced to take this big step. Though Misbah has decided to step down as the chief selector, he will be associated with the Pakistan cricket team as the head coach and will shift his entire focus towards improving the performance of the squad in the view of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The 46-year-old was under the scanner after Pakistan’s tour of England as the Men in Green lost the Test series by 0-1 while the T20I series resulted in a draw. Also, he was massively scrutinized for the visuals of him sitting visibly upset during the second T20I fixture between England and Pakistan. The cameras had panned on a disheartened Misbah sitting in the dressing room with his hands on his head after seeing the runs scored by the opposition. This had invited criticism from many Pakistan greats including Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

This will have a bad effect on the team: Inzamam-ul-Haq

Calling out Misbah-ul-Haq for sending negative energy in the dressing room, Wasim Akram had said that nothing should affect the body language of the coach as he should always look positive and hopeful.

“The head in his hands wasn’t the best sign from the coach. Okay, the team and the bowlers are getting hammered but body language is so important for any coach. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, it’s his job to be positive. At least look positive,” Akram had said.

The former Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq had also slammed the head coach for his animated reactions and had shared his disappointment regarding the whole episode. In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Inzamam had said that these gestures have a bad effect on players and spread negative energy in the whole team.

“During the fifth over of England innings, the camera showed Misbah and he had his hands on his head, which suggested that something really bad had happened. You are giving a wrong message by doing these things. If you respond like this during the match, then this will have a bad effect on the team,” Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.