Ramiz Raja, Misbah Ul Haq and Waqar Younis. Photo- Twitter
Ramiz Raja, Misbah Ul Haq and Waqar Younis. Photo- Twitter

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja spoke about the controversial resignations of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis from the coaching staff. Misbah and Waqar were sacked just days before the T20 World Cup in 2021 in the UAE and were replaced by Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach) and Abdul Razzaq (bowling coach).

Following the 3-0 Test series defeat against England at home, Ramiz Raja was removed as the chairman of the board and Najam Sethi was appointed as interim board chief. Sethi started making significant changes to the national cricket team. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been named the interim chief selector, along with former players Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

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PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja. Image Credits: Twitter

They Received Their Full Payments For Two Years – Ramiz Raja

When asked about Misbah and Younis’ departures, Raja told Samaa TV that changes were needed at the time and that it was his “right” to take the decision.

Misbah Ul Haq And Waqar Younis. Photo- Twitter
Misbah Ul Haq And Waqar Younis. Photo- Twitter

“They received their full payments for two years. They were given full respect. As a chairman, it was my right to dismiss them. Even now, they are talking about removing Saqlain Mushtaq and replacing him with Mickey Arthur. I made contracts in such a way that I didn’t want the board to be left with a coaching setup for three years,” Ramiz said.

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We Brought New Management, It Wasn’t Easy For Me – Ramiz Raja

The former PCB chairman said it was a hard decision to communicate with Waqar Younis, who had shared a dressing room with Raja during his playing days. He said he realized that changes were needed when he was doing commentary.

“We had yearly contracts. They (Misbah and Waqar) would’ve left in January/February anyway. We brought a new management. It wasn’t easy for me. I’ve played with Waqar, I talked to him in detail.”

Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis (Image Credit: Twitter)

“The CEO talked to Misbah. It obviously didn’t look good that the change took place with a week or 10 days before the T20 World Cup. But I had an idea that we could only go to a certain extent with them. When I used to do commentary, I realised that a change was necessary.”

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “Sach Batau To Dil Kaafi Dafa Kiya Hai Ki Chachu Ko Bolu Meri Kya Galti Thi”- Imam-ul-Haq On Comparisons With Inzamam-ul-Haq

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