Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee amid growing turmoil in Pakistan cricket. The former captain Misbah-ul-Haq reportedly submitted his resignation by email after the team management made major changes during the ongoing series against England without consulting him.
Pakistan have been in the headlines since the team’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s. With the series already lost 2-0, the PCB responded with sweeping changes, removing the head coach and bowling coach while releasing seven players from the squad ahead of the third and final Test.
Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns from PCB Selection Committee
Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the selection committee amid major changes to the Test squad. According to ARY News, Misbah-ul-Haq stepped down after he was not consulted over the major changes to Pakistan’s Test squad.
The PCB released seven players from the touring squad following the defeat to England at Lord’s. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad were asked to return to Pakistan.
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah were named as replacements, although some were still waiting for their travel arrangements and visas.
Misbah-ul-Haq's resignation has added to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s selection setup. Asad Shafiq could also leave the selection committee, although the development had not been formally confirmed at the time of the reports.
Mike Hesson Handed Test Team Responsibility
The PCB also made major changes to the coaching staff after Pakistan’s poor start to the England series. Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were released from their positions, with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke brought in to oversee the team for the Edgbaston Test.
Hesson had initially travelled to London with High Performance Director Aaqib Javed for a dinner hosted in honour of Prince Charles. However, the PCB later asked him to get involved with the Test team for the final match of the series.
Reports suggest the PCB could eventually give Hesson responsibility across all three formats, although his immediate focus will be on guiding the Test side in Birmingham.
Babar Azam Admits Pakistan Failed Under Pressure
Pakistan's drastic changes came after another disappointing batting display at Lord’s. England were bowled out for 208 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a target of 389. However, the visitors were dismissed for 194 as the batting lineup once again failed to handle the pressure.
Saud Shakeel offered the only real resistance with a fighting 97, but he received little support from the rest of the batting order. Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck, while Mohammad Rizwan scored only one run. Babar Azam and Azaan Awais added six runs each.
Babar admitted that Pakistan failed to take advantage of favourable conditions. He suggested that the team needed to react better when conditions offered them an opportunity to gain control of the game.
The defeat also gave England their first Test win over Pakistan at Lord’s in 16 years and sealed the series for the hosts. Pakistan will turn their attention to the third Test at Edgbaston, where they will try to avoid a 3-0 clean sweep.
