Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis step down as Pakistan coaches with immediate effect

Former Pakistan cricketers Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis have stepped down from their roles as coaches for the national cricket team. The decision by the two was communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday morning. Misbah was the head coach of the side while Waqar, unsurprisingly, was the bowling coach. The two are legends of Pakistan cricket and their departures certainly are not good news. New Zealand are set to arrive on September 11 for a three ODI and five T20I series, with the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on 8 September. The PCB has appointed Abdul Razzaq and Saqlain Mushtaq as interim coaches for the series, with the decision regarding coaching for the ICC T20 World Cup set to be announced in due course.

Would have to spend time away from family: Misbah

Misbah said that his decision to step down from the role of head coach was primarily his family’s welfare.

“The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role,” the former cricketer said. 

“I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step-in and take the side forward. The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan,” he added.

Straightforward decision for Waqar

Waqar said that it was a simple decision for him as he and Misbah had walked into the coaching roles together, so he believes that they should resign together as well.

“After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together,” the legendary bowler said.

“Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days. The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be brighter days ahead,” he added.

The PCB, in a statement, said that they were grateful for the work Misbah and Waqar had ensured in the past 24 months and that they deserved a huge amount of respect.