'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,' Misbah-ul-Haq said
Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis as the national cricket team’s head coach and bowling coach respectively, local media report on Wednesday (September 4).
The 45-year-old Misbah will also serve as the chief selector, making him very powerful in Pakistan cricket. According to reports, both Misbah and Waqar have been given three-year contracts each.
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“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,” Misbah was quoted as saying in the media.
“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,” he added.
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Misbah, who played 75 Tests, 162 ODIs and 39 T20Is, said Pakistan has “most talented and exciting cricketers”.
“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 said.
On working with Waqar, Misbah remarked, “I am excited to once again have someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Waqar Younis 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.
“Both Waqar and I had a candid and frank discussion and we discussed and agreed on a number of things, including roles and responsibilities as well as how to take things forward.”
The 47-year-old Waqar played 87 Tests and 262 ODIs for Pakistan. He has previously served as head coach of the team when Misbah was captain.
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