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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named a fifteen-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 that is a matter of debate in the green shirts’ cricketing realm.
As the heated topic was not enough, the bowling coach Waqar Younis and Misbah ul Haq’s retirement note got officially on-screened soon after the squad’s announcement.
All the criticism is for?
Pakistan cricket devotees took the matter to social media to criticize ‘poor’ and ‘unjustified squad selection for the big event as multiple ‘anticipated’ names missed out. The fans were highly awaited to see Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Mohammad Amir in the crew.
The enthusiasts believe that not adding Sarfaraz, the second-choice wicketkeeper alongside Mohammad Rizwan, is in no way justified as the board has preferred inexperienced Azam Khan either. Azam, who has often failed to incite the lookouts in the middle over, seems meritless in the crew having fewer uninspiring international appearances.
What boils up to the fans more is the addition of Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali to tackle the middle order concerns.
On the other hand, Malik, who could have added a T20I experience of over 42 years alongside Mohammad Hafeez, is not induced to the Pakistan squad for the Wt20. He was already nowhere near the national team, but at least Imad Wasim’s selection is appreciated.
Amir’s scenario pops out as a bit critical despite his feeble relations with the PCB but adding Wahab Riaz could have added more experience to the pace line-up.
Also, Wasim Jnr has been named replacing Faheem Ashraf as he has been in the limelight of Pakistan’s domestic area. Wasim incited the spectators with explosive batting tricks turning into match-winning knocks alongside totaling appealing bowling performances.
The 15-player squad includes four batsmen, two wicketkeeping batters, four fast bowlers, four all-rounders, alongside three reserves as Fakhar Zaman, Usman Qadir, and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Here is the complete squad:
Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan (VC), Imad Wasim, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Sohaib Maqsood
Reserves
- Shanawaz Dahani
- Usman Qadir
- Fakhar Zaman
Why Misbah and Waqar have stepped down as the coaches a few days before the Wt20?
Getting back to Misbah and Waqar, the plot looks more like a clever step to save themselves from all the objections. However, separate gossips are turning out as answers from different sources, publishes for the trendy query. Unquestionably, the recently sacked managing panel has finalized the Pakistan WT20 squad, but the upcoming coaches, the chairman might have their say too.
It is pertinent to mention that the men in green recently went batting coach-less as Younis Khan stepped down from his duties following his subtle relations with the board. For the upcoming home series against New Zealand, Abdul Razzaq and Saqlain Mushtaq will take charge of Waqar, Misbah’s tale.
Misbah’s perspective of stepping down:
The former chief selector, the head coach, believes that he has caused immense disruption to Pakistan Cricket hence, should not continue to render his services further. Although he understands that it is not the right time to take retirement, but he believes that it will work in the proper interest of Pakistan Cricket.
“Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.”
“I understand that the timing may not be ideal, but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges, and it makes sense for someone fresh to step in and take the side forward.
Waqar’s perspective of stepping down:
The former bowling coach says that as Misbah and he joined the posts altogether, they have decided to step down together too. Kinda flabby, though!
“After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair, and now also step down together.
PCB’s perspective of sacking Misbah and Waqar:
The board believes that Abdul Razzaq, as a coach, has won three domestic titles during the 2020-21 season, hence, deserves to enter PCB’s international coaching panel. However, the board respects Misbah and Waqars’ decision to step down in such a crucial clock.
Notably, Mushtaq has also served as the Head of International Player Development at the National High-Performance Centre. There is no announcement regarding if the interim coaches will look after the team after the home series vs New Zealand. Still, there are probable chances for possibility for them to continue till the world cup.
“The PCB understands and respects Misbah’s decision. Cricket in this unprecedented bio-secure world has not been easy for anyone, and Misbah has clearly taken into account the intense six months of non-stop cricket ahead.
“In the past 24 months, Misbah has given his very best to the team, and we wish him well in his future endeavors”.
“It has been an honorable decision by Waqar, and we thank him sincerely for his immense work and commitment over the past two years and wish him the very best in the future.
“Both Misbah and Waqar have given so much to Pakistan cricket over a long period of time, and for that, they deserve a massive amount of respect.
“Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq have been appointed as interim coaches for the New Zealand series. Saqlain is the Head of International Player Development at the National High-Performance Centre, while Abdul Razzaq’s domestic side won three titles in the 2020-21 season.
“Both Saqlain and Razzaq are ready to step up and are very much looking forward to making important contributions in their coaching roles against New Zealand.”
Fans perspective for Misbah and Waqar’s sudden retirement:
Upon analyzing the statements, the fans believe that a few PCB officials have forced Misbah and Waqar to retire despite the T20 World Cup 2021 near to be in action.
More the minds, more the thoughts, and more the analysis – others believe that the coaching duo might have taken a quick and smart step to take themselves out of the ongoing criticism for choosing an ‘inappropriate’ T20 World Cup squad.
A few reports have also published that Misbah and Waqar were unhappy with the Wt20 squad, hence, stepped down from the post.
It is also said that the coaching duo was forced by Ramiz Raja to leave as they gave naive statements to clarify their stepping down. Reliable reports suggest that PCB’s new chairman likely to be is overpowering others, and is already influenced over the entire system even before taking the seat.
You can see the World Cup schedule, date, day, and timing here.
