ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Big SETBACK for Pakistan, Misbah steps down as head coach, Waqar Younis also resigns

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis

Pakistan men's national cricket team suffered a big setback ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in UAE as their head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their respective roles. They communicated their decisions to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) late on Monday (September 6) morning.

With the New Zealand side due to arrive on September 11 for the three ODI and five T20I series and the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on September 8, the PCB has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series, with the team management for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course.

"Misbah and Waqar were appointed in September 2019 and still had a year each left in their contracts," PCB said in its official statement.

Misbah and Waqar step down from coaching roles

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— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2021

Misbah-ul-Haq said: "The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. 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. The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan," he added.

Waqar Younis said: "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. Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days."

"The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be brighter days ahead," he added.