Days after resigning as a national selector, Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed dissatisfaction with Pakistan cricket’s treatment of foreign and local coaches. According to PTI, the former Test captain claimed that international coaches are given greater power and a lighter ride while local coaches are subject to more scrutiny.
The disparity in treatment has become a worrying trend in Pakistani cricket, according to Misbah, who recently resigned from his position as a selector for the senior men’s side. He feels that supporters, the media, retired players, and even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are more critical of local coaches.
Following the national team’s shuffle in England, the Pakistan Cricket Board sent a notice to the selectors, prompting him to propose his resignation as national selector. According to Misbah, the method is a reflection of a larger trend in which local coaches and athletes face immediate pressure following subpar performance.
News18 quotes Misbah-ul-Haq saying, “It is a fact that local and foreign coaches are treated differently in Pakistan cricket. Local coaches have to face more scrutiny and criticism compared to foreign coaches.”
The former captain of Pakistan went on to say that the public’s image of foreign coaches frequently favours them, giving them more power and less responsibility when things don’t work out.
He added, “I don’t think there is anything wrong with having foreign coaches, but what bothers me is that we (fans, critics, media and PCB) tend to have a soft corner for foreign coaches. We tend to give foreign coaches more authority and power, and they are held less responsible if the team performs poorly. In contrast, local coaches always face scrutiny from everyone. It becomes very difficult for our players to regain form and confidence”
Pakistan’s recent reforms in England have intensified that argument. Following a 194-run defeat, the PCB rearranged seven players in the touring team and sent back head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul for the third Test at Edgbaston. England now leads the series 2-0 after that loss.
