PCB, team management ignored advice to relook spin bowling attack before World Cup, says Misbah Ul Haq
The Hindu
Misbah Ul Haq claims PCB ignored his advice to reassess spin bowling attack in WC, despite concerns over Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz's form. Despite advice from Misbah and Mohammad Hafeez, PCB chose to not have a relook at spin attack. Babar Azam and Mickey Arthur didn't see value in Misbah's inputs, opting to keep same team for over a year. Abrar Ahmed was among travelling reserves but never drafted into squad.
Former captain Misbah Ul Haq has claimed Pakistan Cricket Board ignored his suggestion to have a reassessment of the national team’s spin bowling attack in the World Cup upon the insistence of captain Babar Azam and head coach Mickey Arthur.
Pakistan, who were facing an improbable situation to make the semifinals, failed to progress into the final four for the third consecutive World Cup on Saturday after England won the toss and opted to bat.
While Pakistan vice-captain and frontline spinner Shadab Khan has just two wickets to show in six matches, part-timer Iftikhar Ahmed (four) and youngster Usama Mir (four) have had marginally better returns.
In fact, Mohammad Nawaz, who has got a long backing from the team management, garnered a mere two wickets in five matches of the league stage.
Misbah said in a TV interview that despite the advice from him and Mohammad Hafeez, PCB chose to not have a relook at Pakistan’s spin attack.
“When the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman (Zaka Ashraf) asked for my and Hafeez’s advice for the World Cup. I told them clearly (that) they needed another spinner since the form of Shadab (Khan) and Mohammad Nawaz was a source of concern since before the Asia Cup,” Misbah recalled on Ary News Channel.
Former captains Misbah, Hafeez and Inzamam Ul Haq were appointed in the PCB’s technical committee to advice Ashraf on cricket-related matters.
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