Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq may be back in a key role in the national cricket hierarchy soon. With the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) streamlining its structures, reports indicate that Misbah is also in serious contention for a high-profile coaching job.
The latest moves follow after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi officially named Mike Hesson as the head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball sides (ODI and T20I format). Hesson, a seasoned coach from New Zealand, has been tasked with reshaping Pakistan’s white-ball strategy ahead of major international tournaments.
Highly-Paid Mentors Released
After the appointment of Hesson, it was learned that the PCB had made the decision to drop several high-paid mentors who were being paid salaries as high as PKR 5 million (around USD 18,000) per month. These mentors were some of the country’s top former players, including:
Misbah-ul-Haq (50 years old)
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Shoaib Malik
Waqar Younis
Saqlain Mushtaq
The decision is part of a wider cost-reduction and performance-based approach by the PCB to simplify the support staff of the team.
Misbah and Sarfaraz to Be Handed New Roles
Even though they have been let go of their mentorship positions, Misbah-ul-Haq and ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed are likely to be retained by the PCB in other important roles. Sources within the board indicate that both players can be given official positions that enable them to remain involved in Pakistan cricket off the field.
Test Team Head Coach Role on the Horizon?
According to reports in the media, Misbah-ul-Haq is at the moment the favorite to be appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan Test side. Although the PCB has yet to make an official announcement, the speculation continues to intensify, fueled by a tweet from former cricketer Basit Ali, who congratulated Misbah. This suggests that the wheels may already be in motion behind the scenes.
A Look at Misbah-ul-Haq’s Coaching and Captaincy Career
Misbah is considered one of Pakistan’s greatest Test captains. During his captaincy, Pakistan enjoyed remarkable success in red-ball cricket, including a historic No. 1 ranking in the ICC Test rankings. His calm leadership style, tactical insight, and ability to foster team unity earned him widespread admiration.
He had earlier served as national team head coach between 2019 and 2021, also having a short stint as chief selector—a double responsibility later decried and eventually split by the PCB.
Official Confirmation Waiting
So far, neither the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed nor ruled out the reports of Misbah-ul-Haq being appointed as Test head coach. Nevertheless, given his experience and previous service, his return is being welcomed positively by most fans as well as experts.
Conclusion
If selected, Misbah’s return might herald a new chapter for Pakistan’s Test team, particularly at a time when specialized coaching positions are becoming the trend in global cricket. With Mike Hesson being dedicated to the shorter formats, Misbah’s strategic thinking and Test cricket experience might instill the stability and direction required to restore Pakistan’s red-ball dominance.