Misbah-ul-haq has vowed to fix Pakistan’s ‘dressing room culture’ after he was named both head coach and chief selector of the national side on Wednesday.
The former Pakistan captain only applied for the role on the deadline day for submissions last month, having stepped down as a member of the national cricket committee.
The PCB – helped by a five-man panel – have now effectively given the 45-year-old carte blanche as the men in green look to bounce back from a World Cup campaign in which they failed to reach the semi-finals.
🚨 JUST IN 🚨@captainmisbahpk named Pakistan head coach and chief selector.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 4, 2019
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Misbah, who will have another playing legend in Waqar Younis by his side as bowling coach, said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Misbah’s first task will be to guide his side past Sri Lanka in three ODIs and three T20s later this month, with all matches set to be played in Pakistan.
