Manner in which Pakistan’s captain was changed is ‘wrong’, says Misbah

• Misbah says process of changing captain is very “unpleasant”.
• Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi both are star players, he adds.
• Says it would be better if local, foreigner coaches work together.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan team’s head coach Misbah-ul-Haq shed his opinion on the change of captaincy, saying that the manner of changing the skipper before was wrong and still is wrong. 

Misbah’s comments come after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi as the national side’s captain, reinstating Babar Azam as the white-ball captain. 

The decision was made ahead of the Green Shirt’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand set to commence on April 18.

The board, in a statement, said that the change in captaincy was a “strategic move” aimed at ensuring player well-being and peak performance and that the decision reflected PCB’s resolve to safeguard the longevity of the players, especially the fast bowlers.

Speaking to media persons in Lahore, Misbah lamented that the process of changing the national team’s captain is very “unpleasant” which affects the players.

“We have all star players. Babar Azam is a star and Shaheen Shah is a star and our best wishes are with the team that they perform well,” said the 49-year-old.

He also gave his two cents on the appointment of coaches, saying that whether the coach is local or a foreigner, the cricket board should first take into consideration what the team needs and then make a decision.

“[PCB] should see which coach can prove to be better and can manage the team well,” added Misbah.

The former player said that if the local and foreigner coaches work together then it would be better, adding that it would help in the development of the local coaches while the foreigners would be able to learn from the locals.