Former Pakistan captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, has voiced his concerns regarding the management instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its impact on the recruitment of coaching staff. Misbah, who previously served as head coach and chief selector from 2019 to 2021, criticized the PCB’s tendency to dismiss coaches and players based on short-term results or changes in the board’s leadership.
“If you look at the policies of the board, leave alone foreign coaches, I don’t think even our local coaches want to work with the PCB. Pakistan cricket should not be run in such a haphazard manner, and we need to have long-term plans for the team management, selectors, and grooming of players. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, a change in the board leadership changes everything,” Misbah said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“I believe you can’t make a good team or groom quality players if proper time is not given for this process. We need to look at the systems of some other countries who are successful. Why not? I think you can pick the best captains as per the needs of the format. If a player is free for, say, two months, why shouldn’t he be allowed to go and earn money in a league? But yes, giving permission to players before the World Cup was a big mistake,” he added.
Misbah also criticized the PCB’s decision to potentially rehire Mickey Arthur as the team director, despite his earlier departure. Arthur is rumored to return as Pakistan’s director of cricket while continuing his coaching duties at Derbyshire on a part-time basis. The PCB had previously stated that Arthur turned down their offer for the head coach position. Misbah’s comments reflect concerns over the direction of Pakistan cricket amid changes in coaching staff and leadership.
“It’s a slap on our cricket system that we are not able to find a high-profile full-time coach. It’s a shame that the best ones do not want to come, and we insist on having someone who is looking at Pakistan as a second option. I blame our own system, which is vulnerable enough with so many weak lines for anyone to exploit it. We are to be blamed ourselves that we have disrespected and discredited our own people to make a bad image,” Misbah said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Misbah’s remarks highlight the challenges faced by the PCB in maintaining stability and attracting top coaching talent. The board’s decisions regarding coaching appointments and player management will be crucial in shaping the future of Pakistan cricket.
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