Reports: Misbah-ul-Haq likely to become Pakistan’s new head coach

On August 2, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committee met in Lahore and made the decision to revamp the entire coaching staff. It meant that head coach Mickey Arthur, bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden, were relieved of their services to the national team. After getting sacked, Arthur mentioned that he was hurt and disappointed.

Arthur’s contract came to an end after Pakistan’s rather poor campaign in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. Arthur’s departure has meant that the position of the head coach is left vacant. Now as a part of the recruitment process, the PCB has invited applications. It has now been learned that former cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq is most likely to fill the post of the team’s head coach.

The Mianwali, Punjab-born Misbah has an experience of playing 276 games at the highest level in which he notched over 11,000 runs with 10 centuries and 84 half-centuries. Moreover, it has been known that if the management finds someone better, then the 45-year-old Misbah may be asked to become the batting coach of the team as per reports in thenews.com.pk.

Mani thanks Arthur, Flower, Luden and Mahmood

Earlier, Ehsan Mani, the chairman of the PCB, expressed gratitude and talked about how the decisions were zeroed in on. “I am thankful to the PCB Cricket Committee for submitting their recommendations following an exhaustive and detailed review process. The committee comprised of individuals who possess tremendous acumen, experience and knowledge.

The unanimous recommendation of the Committee was that it was time for new leadership and a fresh approach. I am happy to accept their strong recommendations,” Mani was quoted as saying.

“On behalf of the PCB, I want to sincerely thank Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower, Grant Luden and Azhar Mahmood for their hard work and unwavering commitment during their tenures with the national men’s team. We wish them every success in their future endeavours.”

“The PCB remains committed to its fans and followers and we will do our utmost to ensure that we make decisions that continue to move Pakistan cricket forward in all formats,” he added.

As far as Misbah is concerned, he wasn’t a regular fixture in the Pakistan team in the initial phase of his career. But it was his performance in the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa that cemented his place in the team. He also became the Pakistan Test skipper after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010 at the Lord’s where the likes of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were punished.

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