Pakistan cricket in chaos: Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as PCB selector amid Test squad shakeup

ByTech Word News

Misbah ul Haq (Photo AFP) NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has tendered his resignation from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) national selection panel, adding another dramatic twist to the turmoil surrounding the Test side following a major overhaul of the squad and coaching staff.According to Geo News, sources close to Misbah said that the former cricketer has informed the PCB of his decision and will serve his notice period before formally resigning. Cricinfo also reported that Misbah has offered his resignation, although it has not yet been accepted by the PCB.The development comes just a day after the PCB announced sweeping changes to Pakistan’s Test squad and coaching staff following the team’s heavy 194-run defeat by England at Lord’s.

Misbah reportedly did not consult on sweeping changes

The timing of Misbah’s decision has raised questions about the selection committee’s role in the PCB’s latest overhaul. According to reports, Misbah was apparently not consulted despite being part of the national selection panel when the board decided on major changes in the squad and coaching staff.The PCB has released seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston starting on September 9. Those released included Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also removed as head coach and bowling coach respectively.The PCB subsequently brought in head white-ball coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to work with the Test side for the remainder of the England tour.Cricinfo further reported that Misbah has decided to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where his contract required him to work 180 days a year.

Five uncapped players have been added to the Test squad

The extent of Pakistan’s overhaul was further highlighted by the inclusion of five uncapped players in the squad for the third Test.Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah were added while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal were also brought into the fold. The latter two have a combined experience of only 10 Test matches.The sweeping changes followed Pakistan’s innings and 103-run defeat in the first Test before England won the second by 194 runs. The back-to-back defeats left Pakistan 0-2 down in the three-match series and staring at a potential 3-0 clean sheet.

Misbah’s latest exit from the Pakistan cricket setup

Misbah was named in the four-member national selection panel in March along with Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq.The former captain has previously held several senior positions within the PCB. He was appointed head coach and head selector in 2019, before stepping down as head selector in October 2020 and finally leaving the position of head coach in 2021.He returned to the PCB setup as an advisor in 2023 under the then ad hoc management committee headed by Zaka Ashraf. He was later appointed as one of five mentors for the Men’s Champions Cup and also worked with the domestic women’s teams.Last month, Misbah coached the Pakistan Gold team to victory in the National Over-50 Champions Cup in Multan under captain Shaheen Afridi.His reported resignation comes at a particularly difficult time for Pakistan cricket. Lord’s defeat was their 15th loss in their last 20 Tests, while they are currently bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 table.

  • Pakistan squad for Birmingham Test vs England: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Khan Saud Baig (wk), Sajiwick, Saad Saudkeeper Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah.