Peace and tranquility have been restored in Pakistan, says Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan is currently preparing for a home ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. The matches will be played in Lahore and Karachi. After a long time, international cricket is coming back to the country and ahead of the series, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq looked positive about peace in the country after the attack on Lankan team in 2009 that had isolated Pakistan from playing international cricket on their soil.

Misbah retired from all forms of cricket in 2017, and now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has brought its best man back into the game by appointing him at the helm replacing Mickey Arthur. After a long hit and trial, Sri Lanka has now reached Pakistan for the full-fledged series and this will be the first assignment of Misbah as the Pakistan head coach.

Misbah praised Sri Lanka for touring Pakistan

Misbah, also a former Pakistan skipper, praised Sri Lankan authorities over their approval to tour his country. “Pakistan is a great cricketing nation having a great record and cannot be isolated for any reason,” Misbah was quoted as saying in The News. “Now peace and tranquility have been restored here and cricket spectators should not be deprived of their right to witness international cricket in their home country.”

He also discussed the new measures taken by PCB in new domestic cricket format. They have done everything to bring more quality players and fill the gap of domestic and international competition. “For a long time, it had been felt that there was quite a big gap between our first-class cricket and international competitions in terms of quality. The new format aims to minimize that gap,” said the former batsman.

Misbah was asked about the negative comments made by former coach Mickey Arthur against him and Wasim Akram over the dismissal of the South African. Answering the question, Misbah said that it was a unanimous step taken by PCB and what Arthur said was his opinion.

In a conference, he expressed that Sarfaraz Ahmed has to improve his performance and will have his full support during his tenure as a coach. Sarfaraz has always been criticized over his fitness and his captaincy came under the scanner during the World Cup in England and Wales.

Pakistan will play the first ODI against Sri Lanka on 27th September, 2019 at the National Stadium in Karachi. After the conclusion of the ODI series, the islanders are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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