Misbah-ul-Haq set to quit PCB selection committee amid Pakistan’s Test crisis

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket has been rocked by another major shake-up as former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to resign from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee, according to sources close to the former cricketer.

Sources said Misbah has informed the PCB of his decision and will serve his notice period before formally stepping down.

The development comes just a day after the PCB made sweeping changes to Pakistan’s Test squad, releasing seven players and two coaches ahead of the third Test against England in Birmingham.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were among those released. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been removed from the coaching staff.

The PCB has brought in seven replacements, including five uncapped Test players and two experienced players, while Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will join the backroom staff.

The dramatic overhaul follows Pakistan’s disastrous start to the England series. Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test, before England won the second Test by 194 runs, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.

Misbah’s reported resignation adds another layer of uncertainty to a Pakistan setup already facing intense criticism over its selection and team-management decisions.

Sarfaraz, appointed red-ball head coach on April 18, also endured a difficult start, with Pakistan suffering a 2-0 Test series whitewash against Bangladesh before drawing their West Indies series 1-1.

With Pakistan now fighting to avoid another Test-series defeat, the PCB’s sweeping decisions have intensified the debate over who is responsible for the team’s continued decline.