Former Pakistan captain
According to reports, Misbah has informed the board of his decision and is expected to serve a notice period before his departure is finalized. While the PCB has yet to formally accept the resignation, the move follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the team's direction and the internal decision-making processes within the selection panel.
Internal friction follows sweeping squad changes
The resignation comes just one day after the PCB implemented a radical overhaul of both the playing squad and the coaching staff. Reports indicate that Misbah was not consulted regarding these sweeping changes, despite his position on the selection committee. The board’s decision to restructure the team came in the wake of a demoralizing 194-run defeat at Lord’s, which left Pakistan trailing 0-2 in the three-match series.
The scale of the changes is substantial, with seven players released from the squad ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad. Furthermore, the coaching setup has been completely revamped, with the removal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. They have been replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke for the remainder of the tour.
New look squad faces uphill battle
In response to the recent losses, the selectors have introduced five uncapped players—Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah—into the squad. They are joined by Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, as the team looks to avoid a 3-0 series sweep. Beyond his role on the selection committee, Misbah has also reportedly decided to step down from his position as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Misbah’s tenure in the PCB hierarchy has been extensive, having previously served as head coach and chief selector. His latest departure arrives at a precarious moment for Pakistan cricket, with the team having lost 15 of their last 20 Test matches. Currently sitting at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings, the team faces an urgent need for stability as they prepare for the final Test in Birmingham.
