Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Misbah Urges Pakistan Cricket To Follow India's Long-Term Model
Pakistan lost the first two Test matches against England.
After those losses, the Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players and two coaches home.
It brought in seven replacement players before the final Test.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq said this was a reactive decision.
He believes Pakistan should build a strong cricket system slowly, like India did.
He also said young Pakistani players need more four-day cricket, not mostly white-ball matches.
Misbah warned that constantly blaming players can hurt their confidence.
He called for patience, consistency and a long-term plan instead of quick changes.
The Pakistan Cricket Board removed seven players and two coaches after consecutive Test losses to England.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq urged the board to adopt India’s gradual, system-focused approach.
Misbah said Pakistan’s young players need more four-day and red-ball cricket to handle pressure.
He criticized reactive decisions and public criticism, calling instead for consistency, patience and long-term planning.
Former cricketers, including Matthew Hayden, criticized the squad overhaul and Pakistan’s chaotic cricket environment.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s players and coaches, and critics including Matthew Hayden.
- What
- The board overhauled Pakistan’s Test squad and coaching staff after two losses, prompting calls for long-term reform.
- When
- The changes came during Pakistan’s tour of England, before the third Test scheduled to start on September 9.
- Where
- The changes affected Pakistan’s touring team in England; the third Test was scheduled for Edgbaston in Birmingham.
- Why
- The Pakistan Cricket Board acted after back-to-back defeats, while Misbah argued that Pakistan needs a stable, long-term development system rather than reactive decisions.
Long-Term System Building
Immediate Squad Overhaul
How to respond to poor results
Long-Term System Building
Misbah-ul-Haq said Pakistan should analyze performances and circumstances before making changes, rather than panic or take reactive decisions.
Immediate Squad Overhaul
The Pakistan Cricket Board responded to two consecutive Test defeats by removing seven players and two coaches before the final Test.
Player development
Long-Term System Building
Misbah argued that Pakistan’s young players need more four-day and red-ball cricket to become mentally stronger under pressure.
Immediate Squad Overhaul
The board selected seven replacements, including five uncapped players, to change the team during the ongoing tour.
Treatment of players
Long-Term System Building
Misbah criticized the repeated public criticism of players, saying it can damage their confidence and make it harder to regain form.
Immediate Squad Overhaul
The article reports that the board’s overhaul was criticized by former cricketers, while the board proceeded with the changes during the tour.
- Board action
- The Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players and two coaches home without consulting the selectors, according to the article.
- Coaches removed
- Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were asked to return home.
- Players removed
- Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were among those sent back.
- Replacements
- Seven players, including five uncapped players, were named as replacements.
- Third Test
- Pakistan’s third and final Test against England was scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
- Misbah’s recommendation
- Misbah-ul-Haq called for consistency, patience, more red-ball exposure and a long-term plan.
- External criticism
- Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden said Pakistan’s chaotic environment meant that little had changed.