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Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis resigned from their respective roles with the senior national team on Monday, citing bio-bubble fatigue. The decision helps raise a few eyebrows as it comes with just a month to go for the T20 World Cup. Both Misbah and Waqar had a year left in their contracts after having been appointed in in September 2019.

Notably, only on Monday, Pakistan had announced their squad for the T20 World Cup and the home series against New Zealand and England.

Both Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis communicated their decisions to the PCB on Monday.

Pakistan, meanwhile, appointed former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the New Zealand series. The Black Caps, who are currently in Bangladesh, will play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is in September-October. The Pakistan squad is set to assemble for their training camp on September 8.

Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that the support staff for the T20 World Cup will be appointed in the near future.

‘Don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for upcoming challenges’

Misbah-ul-Haq, who had to be in quarantine in West Indies for an extended period of time after testing positive for Covid-19, conceded that the timing of his decision was not right but he had to take the call to spend time with hsi family.

“The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role,” Misbah said, as quoted by a PCB statement.

“I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step-in and take the side forward.”

Decided to step down together: Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis said he decided to step down after Misbah communicated his decision to him.

“After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together.

“Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days.

Pakistan announced a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup on Monday. While Babar Azam was named captain, the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf and Sarfaraz Ahmed were notable omissions.

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India today

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