Pakistan Legend Mocks PCB For Appointing Misbah-ul-Haq As Head Coach

Misbah-ul-Haq continues to face flak from his own compatriots because of being the selector and head coach of Pakistan team. Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed the former captain as the coach and selector in the wake of Pakistan’s dismal show at the 50-over World Cup.

But ever since he took the dual role, he has been facing the heat from a number of former Pakistan cricketers. The latest former cricketer to join the list is none other than Pakistan legend Mohammad Yousuf. The former batsman has ridiculed the PCB’s decision to continue with Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach and selector.

Yousuf accused PCB of showing double standards, stating that Misbah-ul-Haq got the role even though he had no prior experience of coaching.

“I don’t understand these double standards of the board. On one hand, they are asking for all coaching qualifications and yet they made Misbah head coach, although he had no prior experience of coaching even at club level,” Yousuf said in an interview.

“Appointing Misbah, who has no coaching skills, was tantamount to making a mockery of merit. Another mockery was allowing him to coach in the PSL so that he could gain coaching experience,” he added.

Yousuf not only took shots at the cricket board but also slammed Misbah-ul-Haq for allegedly being dishonest. He accused Misbah-ul-Haq of never allowing Azhar Ali to come to the ODI squad.

“I saw a recent media interaction of Misbah and he was talking about honesty and integrity and all that. Yet when he was captain he never allowed Azhar Ali to come into the one-day squad,” Yousuf claimed.

Azhar, who is now Pakistan’s Test captain, was not selected for any ODIs between January, 2013 and April, 2015 when Misbah-ul-Haq was leading Pakistan. Yousuf said that Misbah didn’t want Azhar in the ODI squad because they were similar batsmen. He also said that Misbah was an average batsman.

“In my view Azhar was a better batsman skill wise and in terms of ability. But because he had to play as an opener or one down and he took his time to settle down, Misbah didn’t want him because he himself took time to settle down and played slowly.”

“He had no skills. He had a one dimensional game. He played defensively most of the time and only took his chances when the spinners came on,” he said.

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