‘Absolutely ready for task’: Misbah chosen as head coach, chief selector

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been chosen as Pakistan men’s national team head coach in all three formats as well the chief selector on a three-year contract.

Misbah was a unanimous choice of a five-member panel that comprised Intikhab Alam , Bazid Khan, Asad Ali Khan, Wasim Khan and Zakir Khan. On the recommendation of Misbah, the PCB also named two-time former head coach and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame Waqar Younis as bowling coach of the national side on a three-year contract.

Both the national team appointments were approved by the PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani.

“It is very humbling for me to join a select group of some of the very best to have coached the Pakistan national sides in the past. It is an honour and more than that, a massive responsibility as we live and breathe cricket,” said Misbah.

“I know expectations are high, but I am absolutely ready and up for the task otherwise I would not have thrown my name in the hat for one of the most challenging and coveted roles in Pakistan cricket. We have some of the most talented and exciting cricketers, and I will like to help them train and prepare in such a way that they can play intelligently, smartly and fearlessly. I am aware this will require a change in the dressing room culture but if we have to compete consistently at the highest level, we have to embrace these modern day requirements,” he added.

“We need to understand this is a performance-oriented world and only those Pakistan players have thrived in the past who have taken the pride in donning the star and crest on their chests by delivering every time they have stepped on to the field," Misbah added.

The newly seated head coach also expressed excitement over working alongside Waqar. “I am excited to once again have someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Waqar in my corner as a bowling coach. We have exciting young fast bowlers in our ranks and there is no better person than Waqar to transform them into modern day stars.

Misbah and Waqar have previously worked as a pair from May 2014 to April 2016 with the former as captain and the latter as head coach.

“We are delighted to have someone of Misbah-ul-Haq’s leadership, skill and stature taking on the responsibility of our national team. At the same time, I want to thank all the local and foreign candidates who offered their services, but the panel unanimously put their weight behind Misbah as it believed he was a perfect fit for the dual assignments due to his understanding, knowledge and demands of Pakistan cricket across all the three formats of the game,” stated PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan.

The first assignment of Misbah-Waqar combination will be the upcoming three ODI and three T20I home series against Sri Lanka, which will be played from September 27 to October 9. The duo’s first series in the World Test Championship will be in Australia when Pakistan will play in Brisbane (November 21-25), followed by a day/night Test in Adelaide (November 29 to December 3).