Misbah-ul-Haq, on Wednesday, stepped down from his role as Pakistan's chief selector to focus more on his duties of being the head coach of the national cricket team. The former batsman informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his decision, saying that he would be stepping down as chief selector - a position he took in September last year - on November 30. He, however, did say that he will pick the squad for Pakistan's upcoming series against Zimbabwe.
“I will select the squad for the coming series against Zimbabwe but after that I just want to focus on my work as head coach,” he said.
He further added that the decision has not been taken due to the pressure. It is rather personal, he said.
“No it is purely my own personal decision and I took it because I think it is not easy doing two high profile jobs at one time. I want to give my best as head coach of the national team.
“Whoever is appointed as chief selector, I will fully cooperate with him and work to take the Pakistan team into the top three of every format,” Misbah said.
Misbah, a former Pakistan captain, had a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan last month after the country's departmental teams were shut down in domestic cricket. The PCB, reacted to the incident, saying that it was not happy that the coach directly to meet the PM to discuss a policy decision of the board.
“If that meeting was the reason for my stepping down as chief selector then I think I would have also lost my head coach position,” Misbah said.
“When I accepted both positions I thought I could manage it but with time I think it is better for me to focus on one job.
“As head coach now my focus is that we as a team break into the top three of every format and obviously we also have the ICC World Cups coming up over the next three years so that is something we have to start preparing.”
Meanwhile, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in September, said that he is in talks with the country’s cricket board over a potential role in the organization, saying that he is ready to put his neck on the line for PCB.
Speaking during a YouTube show “Cricket Baaz”, Akhtar said, “I will not deny it. Yes, I have had some discussions with the board and I am interested in playing a major role in Pakistan cricket. But nothing is decided as yet.”
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby
