It seems like former Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq is likely to become the center of attraction for key matters of the Asian giants. Pakistan needs someone who can steer the ship and take charge of the mantle in shaping their international cricket journey from now on. And who better than Misbah? Should Pakistan hire Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently did away with the entire coaching staff. The likes of Mickey Arthur (head coach) and his support staff was shown the door. The aim for the PCB now is to bounce back from the below-par show in the 2019 World Cup held in England and Wales. Pakistan finished fifth in the tournament after a mixed journey.
Over time, Pakistan has also been poor in both ODIs and Tests. There is plenty of work up the sleeves of new management. The new management needs to handle the job with the utmost precision and care. This is how things can work well for the Men in Green. The focus, for now, will be the ICC Test Championship which has already kicked off. Then there is the World T20 in 2020 besides the 2023 World Cup in India.
If Pakistan wants to do well then they need a powerful figure as the head coach. They need someone who knows the system in and out and will command respect from the players and the management alike. They need someone who can relate to the passionate fans of the game and help the team in many ways. It’s a new direction after all.
Here we analyze whether Pakistan should hire Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach of the national team.
The start of a crucial role for Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach
At the moment, the PCB has decided to call Misbah-ul-Haq as the camp commandant at a forthcoming 17-day conditioning camp for Pakistan’s cricketers. The camp is set to begin on Monday in Lahore. The camp will have 14 centrally contracted and six other cricketers participating. Pakistan couldn’t have asked for a better name to head the camp.
Meanwhile, reports from Pakistan have also erupted that Misbah is likely to be appointed as the chief selector and head coach of the Pakistan cricket team once the camp ends. Now, this could be a dual role for the former skipper. There will be complete trust and dependency on his abilities.
According to a report in Dunya News, Misbah’s role could see a single person as chief selector and head coach to whom the domestic coaches would be bound to report. Therefore, there could be complete transparency on the cards here. Misbah could select both the players and then coach them for major tournaments.
It will not be an easy task though. Misbah will have to develop a strong personality if he is appointed the head coach and chief selector of the national team. Other reports claim that Misbah will be in contention for both head coach and batting coach. Even if he misses for Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach, he could help the side in batting.
Is Misbah the figure to boss the show?
Misbah was a true leader and a terrific batsman for Pakistan. He commanded the side well in the past and retired as a legend of the game. His longevity, vision, and class were there for everyone to witness. Misbah was respected in the cricket fraternity from all corners. He commanded huge respect everywhere and people looked up to him as an inspirational figure.
In 75 Tests, Misbah amassed 5,222 runs at 46.62. He scored 10 tons and 39 half-centuries. In 162 ODIs, he amassed 5,122 runs at an average of 43.40. He scored 42 fifties. Even at an age where many cricketers have quit the game and are doing other things, Misbah has been playing in the Pakistan Super League.
He still has it in him to produce efforts. This is a man that lives and breathes cricket. His knowledge of the game is huge. This makes him special in a lot of sense. Given his captaincy attributes and the personality to thrive, Misbah could be the ideal man to coach the national team.
He helped Pakistan in a rough phase. Misbah had taken over as the captain, after the infamous spot-fixing scandal in 2010. Therefore, he knows the situation and difficult moments. He will command that attention from the current crop of players.
The road ahead for Pakistan cricket and Misbah
Pakistan will be playing six Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is in the 2019-20 international season. A grueling season begins with hosting Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in October 2019.
“Misbah, who has been Pakistan’s most successful captain, understands the arduous demands of the format in this day and age,” the PCB said. It is a good decision to include Misbah in the scheme of things. Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach will help Pakistan and get them going on a positive note from the start. That’s a massive factor.
It is likely that Misbah could be offered the head coach role after the camp. If he takes it, then the side will be bolstered heavily. He brings so much quality and experience in the system.
Pakistan needs consistency in their approach. They need a strong core group of players and be trusted at the same time to deliver the goods. One needs to be patient with this Pakistan side who is in a period of transition.