Yousaf slams Misbah’s dual role appointment

Pakistan’s former cricketer Mohammad Yousaf has criticised the appointment of Misbahul Haq as the Men in Green’s head coach and chief selector.

While talking to Express News, the 45-year-old raised doubt over Misbah’s ability to infuse aggression in the Pakistan team.

"The Pakistan team lacks the technique, control and aggression," said Yousuf. "Someone who was not able to demonstrate positive thinking himself on the field of play despite being the captain, how could he improve the performance of the players?"

The 45-year-old also believes that Misbah unfairly blamed others for his defensive tactics.

"When Kane Williamson comes at number three, he scores a century. Meanwhile, Misbah would wait for three wickets to fall so he could claim that the situation warranted him to play defensively," he said. 

READ MORE: Huge difference between Misbah, Shastri salaries

Yousaf also questioned the appointments in the PCB after he was not considered for the Under-19 team’s head coach position.

"This is not about jobs. We just say what's right for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. But of course the PCB would not accept that," he said. "They only need people who can say 'yes, sir!' This is exactly what people like Intikhab Alam have been doing for 40 years.”

Misbah was confirmed as Pakistan men’s national team head coach in all three formats on a three-year contract.

In line with the PCB’s commitment to ensure transparency, accountability and role clarity at all levels, Misbah was also named as the Chairman of Selectors with head coaches of the six first-class Cricket Association sides as his fellow selectors.

The first assignment of Misbah will be the upcoming three ODI and three T20I home series against Sri Lanka, which will be played from September 27 to October 9.