Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their coaching roles one month ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to commence on October 17. Their decision to leave the position comes only a few hours after the squad for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup was announced.
Misbah was handed the role of the head coach in the aftermath of the 2019 World Cup debacle in England. They had one year still left in their contract but chose to step down from their respective roles.
Misbah and Waqar step down from coaching roles
More details ➡️ https://t.co/pFjoYQHsKy pic.twitter.com/Ymm6Gak9Rq
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2021
Misbah claimed that the decision to step down from his role was because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
“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,” Misbah-ul-Haq 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,” he added.
It was an easy decision after Misbah-ul-Haq stepped aside: Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis, who followed Misbah-ul-Haq’s steps stated that it was an easy decision after Misbah conveyed that he wants to step aside. Waqar said:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board also confirmed that Saqlain Mushtaq, who is currently serving as the bowling coach at PCB’s National High Performance Centre, and Abdul Razzaq will join the team management as interim coaches for the New Zealand series at home.
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