We Look For Someone As A Scapegoat To Save Face - Former Coach Misbah-ul-Haq Speaks On The "Problems" In Pakistan Cricket

Former Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq slammed the board and its system while speaking for the first time after his resignation last month.

Misbah-ul-Haq asserted that the outcomes of matches and tournaments are only taken into consideration while making personnel decisions by the PCB and not the processes. He also said that the growth of players at the domestic level hasn’t been great either.

“The problem is that in our cricket we only look at results and we don’t give time or have patience for planning ahead and improving the system,” Misbah-ul-Haq said on ‘A-Sports’ channel.

“We don’t focus on the fact that we have to develop our players at domestic level and then in the national team and work on their skill development. We want results and if we don’t get the desired results we start searching for scapegoats,” he said.

Looking for scapegoats is a norm in Pakistan cricket: Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq, along with bowling coach Waqar Younis, suddenly resigned from their posts last month right after the PCB had announced their T20 World Cup squad.

The 47-year-old lamented the “cosmetic” culture in Pakistan cricket which looks for scapegoats when things go wrong.

“Unfortunately, looking for scapegoats is a norm in Pakistan cricket. After losing a match or series we look for someone as a scapegoat to save face.

“Nothing will change if we continue with this cosmetic surgery. You can change the coaches and players but deep down the problems will remain the same,” he added.

Misbah-ul-Haq also expressed his shock over the PCB selectors making three changes to their original squad. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman and Haider Ali replaced Azam Khan, Mohammad Hasnain and Khushdil Shah from the initial squad before Shoaib Malik replaced the injured Sohaib Maqsood.

“What is going on? First, you take decisions on bringing some players into the World Cup team and then 10 days later you take a U-turn and bring back players dropped back into the fold,” the former captain said.

Pakistan will meet India in their opening encounter on October 24 in Dubai. They will then face New Zealand, Afghanistan, and two other teams who will qualify from Round 1 in the Super 12 stage.

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