Misbah-ul-Haq voices concerns over ICC World Cup squad, central contracts

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain and current member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Cricket Committee, Misbah-ul-Haq, has made it clear that he played no role in the selection process for the ICC World Cup 2023 squad and central contracts.

Misbah, who has previously served as the head coach of the Pakistan national team, emphasised that these decisions were solely the prerogative of the team management and the selection committee.

Speaking to reporters in Karachi, he expressed his concerns, stating, “I also have concerns about this. They decided previously with the team management. We also can’t understand this decision and there is no input from me.”

He also raised reservations about the central contracts, asserting that he had not been involved in the decision-making process.

Misbah  advocated for key members of specific formats to be included in the top category of central contracts but clarified that this was a decision made by the selection committee and management.

Regarding the composition of the team, Misbah emphasized that it fell under the purview of the selection committee and management. He mentioned that the chairman had extended his full support to the decisions, redirecting inquiries to them.

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Earlier, the Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, announced that players regularly featured in Pakistan’s national team in a particular format would be included in the central contracts.

The PCB recently confirmed a list of 25 cricketers as part of the revamped central contracts, with some notable exclusions.

Test spinners Nauman Ali and Abrar Ahmed were surprisingly absent from the list, while former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed found himself placed in the D category.

Misbah also stressed the importance of performing well in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, emphasizing that there would be no room for complacency. He pointed out that every match in the tournament would demand the utmost effort from the team.

Furthermore, Misbah highlighted the significance of the matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before facing India, warning against any fluctuations in form during those games, as they could potentially increase pressure on the team.