Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqur Younis named Pakistan cricket team's coach

Former Pakistan cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq was named Pakistan head coach on a three year contract alongside Waqur Younis who will be the team’s new bowling coach.

The five member panel which comprised intikhab Alam, Bazid Khan, Asad Ali Khan and Wasim Khan was in complete agreement to appoint Misbah as the national team coach following an intense recruitment procedure.

Former Test players like Dean Jones, Mohsin Khan and Courtney Walsh also went through the selection process but the PCB dicided in favour of Misbah-ul-Haq.

On the endorsement of Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan cricket body also appointed ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Waqar Younis as bowling coach of the Pakistan team on a three year contract. Both the appointments were also upheld by the PCB chief Ehsan Mani.

The first test for the newly appointed coaches will be the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, which will be played from 27th September. Misbah and Waqar Younis have previously worked as a pair from May 2014 to April 2016.

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“It is very humbling for me to join a select group of some of the very best to have coached the Pakistan national sides in the past. It is an honour and more than that, a massive responsibility as we live and breathe cricket,” Misbah said.

“I know expectations are high, but I am absolutely ready and up for the task otherwise I would not have thrown my name in the hat for one of the most challenging and coveted roles in Pakistan cricket.

“We have some of the most talented and exciting cricketers, and I will like to help them train and prepare in such a way that they can play intelligently, smartly and fearlessly. I am aware this will require a change in the dressing room culture but if we have to compete consistently at the highest level, we have to embrace these modern day requirements.

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“We need to understand this is a performance-oriented world and only those Pakistan players have thrived in the past who have taken the pride in donning the star and crest on their chests by delivering every time they have stepped on to the field.

“That’s the way I have played my cricket all through my career and this will not change in my new role.

“I am excited to once again have someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Waqar Younis in my corner as a bowling coach. We have exciting young fast bowlers in our ranks and there is no better person than Waqar to transform them into modern day stars.

“Both Waqar and I had a candid and frank discussion and we discussed and agreed on a number of things, including roles and responsibilities as well as how to take things forward.

“As I prepare to begin a new phase in my career, I want to thank my family, friends, former team-mates, the PCB and my club, departmental and franchise sides for supporting me in my journey.”

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said:“We are delighted to have someone of Misbah-ul-Haq’s leadership, skill and stature taking on the responsibility of our national team. At the same time, I want to thank all the local and foreign candidates who offered their services, but the panel unanimously put their weight behind Misbah as it believed he was a perfect fit for the dual assignments due to his understanding, knowledge and demands of Pakistan cricket across all the three formats of the game.

“The concept of a head coach also being a chief selector is an innovative one and a new introduction to our system. But, while the PCB has further empowered Misbah, it has also put more responsibility on his shoulders as he will now be solely responsible and accountable for his side’s performances. As always, PCB checks and balances will remain.

“Furthermore, it strategically integrates nicely with our revamped domestic structure where the six head coaches of the first-class sides will also be the selectors. They will provide regular feedback and updates to Misbah on the local players that will assist him in his preparations and planning. Besides, this will also ensure meritocracy in team selections and more onus on the head coaches for their assessments.

“Exciting times are ahead for the national cricket team, which will feature in the World Test Championship, Asia Cup T20 in 2020 and back-to-back ICC T20 World Cups in 2020 and 2021. The PCB has no doubts that under Misbah’s vision and guidance, the team will perform strongly and will succeed in transforming our talented players into world-class performers.”