Former Pakistan captain and head coach Misbah-Ul-Haq on Wednesday (October 20) made a big statement about Pakistan cricket for the first time since his sudden resignation last month, saying the Pakistan board must work on their skill development rather than changing coaches.
Misbah and the bowling coach, Waqar Younis, announced sudden resignations soon after returning from the West Indies tour last month, following criticism over the team’s performance.
The legendary batter has said that “looking for scapegoats is a norm in Pakistan cricket” if the team doesn’t get the desired result while claiming that nothing will change with the “cosmetic surgery” in Pakistan since the problems are deep-rooted in the system.
Misbah said on the ‘A-Sports’ channel: “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. 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.”
He added, “We want results and if we don’t get the desired results we start searching for scapegoats. 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.”
The former coach was not happy with the Mohammad Wasim-led national selection committee’s work and the way they made changes in the Pakistan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
Misbah concluded, “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.”
Noteworthy, Pakistan included former captain and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and all-rounder Shoaib Malik later in the T20 World Cup 2021 squad after announcing an initial 15-member squad for the event.
(With PTI Inputs)
