"Pakistani Coaches Shying Away from Collaborating with PCB": Misbah-ul-Haq

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 12:29:28 GMT

Having been closely associated with Pakistan cricket for over two decades, Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain, and later, head coach and chief selector from 2019 to 2021, has voiced his disappointment over the tendency to cut short the opportunities for players and coaches in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He believes that the lack of sustained support and trust in individuals is a notable shortcoming in the system.

The frequent removal of captains and coaches by the PCB, exemplified by the recent dismissal of Babar Azam and the entire backroom staff after a subpar performance in the ODI World Cup, further underscores Misbah-ul-Haq’s concerns. Pakistan won only 4 out of 9 league games, falling short of reaching the semifinals.

Misbah-ul-Haq expresses frustration over the insufficient backing for both players and coaches:

Addressing the media, Misbah-ul-Haq asserted that it’s not just foreign coaches, but even local coaches are reluctant to collaborate with the PCB. The former Pakistan captain criticized the policies of the PCB and expressed his concern about the current state of affairs in Pakistan cricket. He emphasized the necessity for long-term planning, highlighting that each leadership change in the PCB tends to alter the situation.

“If you scrutinize the board’s policies, it’s not just foreign coaches; I doubt even our local coaches are willing to collaborate with the PCB,” remarked Misbah-ul-Haq during a media interaction in Karachi.

He continued, “The administration of Pakistan cricket should adopt a more organized approach, emphasizing the importance of long-term plans for team management, selectors, and player development. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, a change in board leadership disrupts the entire structure.

“I firmly believe that building a strong team and nurturing quality players require dedicated time and a systematic process. We should consider studying the successful systems implemented by other countries,” he concluded.

Expanding on his thoughts, Misbah-ul-Haq expressed confidence in Pakistan’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup, stating, “Our players are familiar with the conditions in the West Indies, so we should be among the frontrunners.”

He also weighed in on the controversial No Objection Certificate (NOC) policy of the PCB, asserting that players should be given the freedom to participate in overseas T20I leagues during their free periods. Misbah emphasized, “If a player has a couple of months free, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to earn money in a league. However, he acknowledged that granting NOCs to players just before the World Cup was a significant mistake, suggesting the need for a situation-based policy for NOCs and foreign leagues.”