Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns From PCB Selection Committee, Steps Down as Batting Consultant

Pakistan cricket has been plunged into further turmoil today, September 1, 2026, as former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from his position on the national selection committee. The 52-year-old also stepped down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, reportedly citing a lack of consultation regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent drastic changes to the Test squad and coaching staff during the ongoing series against England. PCB's 'We Are Hiring' Post for Fielding Coach Job on Linkedin Goes Viral.

Misbah's departure comes in the wake of Pakistan's abysmal performance in the first two Tests against England, which saw them suffer a heavy 194-run defeat at Lord's following an innings and 103-run loss at Headingley. These results have left Pakistan trailing 0-2 in the three-match series, prompting a reactive and far-reaching reshuffle by the PCB.

Squad and Coaching Overhaul

The PCB announced a significant shake-up on Monday, August 31, 2026, releasing seven players from the Test squad. Those sent home include prominent names like wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.

In their place, seven new players have been called up for the third and final Test. This influx includes five uncapped players, alongside two with limited Test experience: Saim Ayub (8 Tests) and Abdullah Fazal (2 Tests). The uncapped additions are left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, and pace-bowling all-rounders Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah.

The coaching staff also saw dramatic changes, with red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and fast-bowling coach Umar Gul relieved of their duties. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been tasked with overseeing the team for the upcoming Edgbaston Test.

Misbah-ul-Haq Disagreement and Past Roles

Sources close to Misbah indicated that his decision to resign stemmed from being excluded from discussions surrounding these crucial selection and coaching changes. Having joined the PCB selection committee in March 2026 as part of a revamp following Aleem Dar's resignation, Misbah reportedly felt that the overhauling of the squad without his involvement was a fundamental failure to honour his role.

This is not Misbah's first significant role or departure from the PCB. He previously held the dual role of chief selector and head coach in September 2019, but resigned as chief selector in October 2020 to focus solely on coaching. He later resigned as head coach in September 2021.

Expert Reactions and Future Outlook

The mid-series changes have drawn sharp criticism from former cricketers. Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur labelled the PCB's decisions as "absolutely ridiculous," stating on X that the constant chopping and changing of players, coaches, and selectors leads to instability and hinders consistent performance. Former captain Shahid Afridi also questioned the timing and extent of the overhaul. Pakistan Drop Seven Players, Change Coaches Ahead of 3rd Test vs England in Major Squad Reshuffle.

The third and final Test match between England and Pakistan is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from September 9 to September 13, 2026. With the series already lost, the focus will now be on whether these drastic measures can spark any turnaround for a team seemingly in disarray.

The PCB is yet to issue an official statement regarding Misbah-ul-Haq's resignation or its acceptance. The ongoing instability within the Pakistan camp casts a long shadow over their preparations for the final match and raises significant questions about the future direction of the national team.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2026 04:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).