Pakistan Cricket in Crisis: Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns Amidst Sweeping National Squad Overhaul
LAHORE: The landscape of Pakistan cricket has been thrown into further disarray following reports that legendary former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has tendered his resignation from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) national selection committee.
The move marks a dramatic escalation in the turmoil surrounding the national Test team, which is currently reeling from a string of abysmal performances and a massive internal restructuring. According to reports from Geo News and ESPNcricinfo, Misbah has formally communicated his decision to the PCB board members, with plans to serve a notice period before finalizing his departure. While the resignation has been offered, the PCB has yet to officially confirm its acceptance.
Lack of Consultation Sparked Departure
The timing of Misbah’s resignation suggests deep-seated friction between the selectors and the board’s current leadership. Reports indicate that the former skipper was completely bypassed during the decision-making process for the team’s latest overhaul, despite his official standing within the four-member selection committee.
This administrative exclusion follows a disastrous run of form for the Pakistan team, headlined by a crushing 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s. The loss was the latest in a dismal cycle that has seen Pakistan suffer 15 defeats in their last 20 Test matches, leaving the nation languishing at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship standings.
Radical Restructuring
In an attempt to stem the tide, the PCB initiated a massive purge of the current setup. Seven high-profile players—including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha—were released from the squad. Simultaneously, the coaching staff faced a total exodus, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul being removed from their respective roles.
The board has turned to Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach and Ashley Noffke as the bowling coach to oversee the remainder of the England tour. In a gamble to rejuvenate the team, selectors have injected five uncapped players into the lineup for the third Test at Edgbaston, including Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig.
A History of Turmoil
Misbah’s departure adds to a complicated history with the PCB. Appointed to the selection committee in March alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq, Misbah has served in various capacities, including head coach and chief selector, since 2019. His exit highlights the ongoing Pakistan cricket in chaos, a situation exacerbated by constant shifts in leadership and strategy.
Beyond his role as a selector, Misbah has also stepped down from his position as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. This withdrawal signals a significant step back from the board for a man who has been a central pillar of Pakistan’s domestic and international cricket development for years.
As the team prepares for the third Test in Birmingham under the leadership of Babar Azam, the pressure on the PCB to find stability has never been higher. With the squad now featuring several inexperienced players and a new coaching staff, the upcoming match will be a defining moment for the future of Pakistan’s Test cricket.
Pakistan squad for the third Test against England:
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah.
