LAHORE (Kashmir English): In a significant development that could redefine Pakistan’s cricketing governance, former national skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is being speculated for a high-profile role in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Sources privy to the situation indicate Misbah is reportedly the leading contender for the position of Director Cricket Operations (International), a post which has been in the limelight recently.
Only days ago, the vacancy was publicly advertised by the PCB in a significant change to its hiring strategy. For the first time, the board has insisted that applicants are past international cricketers, either ODI or Test, indicating a clear determination to introduce cricketing expertise into the boardroom.
The job became vacant after Usman Wahla, who was holding the position earlier, was temporarily suspended from duty.
Wahla was benched allegedly for botching a delicate matter of Pakistan-India cricket relations — an issue that needed diplomatic tact and strategic insight. Although later restored to duty, the incident seems to have necessitated that the PCB re-strategize its approach to leadership in this sector of such importance.
Misbah-ul-Haq, with his steady temperament and strategic sense, is already familiar with PCB’s behind-the-scenes politics. His past experiences as head coach and chief selector arm him with an ideal mix of administration and ground-level expertise, something the PCB might find extremely useful while dealing with intricate global cricketing realities.
He was also apparently in contention to be the next test coach for the team before the role was offered to Azhar Mahmood.
If appointed, Misbah’s return to the PCB setup could be a game-changer, especially with Pakistan’s international calendar heating up and diplomatic sensitivities around regional cricket intensifying.
Having a veteran cricketer like Misbah at the helm of international operations might serve to bridge the gap between the dressing room and the boardroom.
It is also part of a wider trend at the PCB towards professionalization of its organization and ensuring that major positions are manned by people who have a real appreciation of the game beyond spreadsheets and scorecards.
