Didn't apply for job of head coach, Misbah rejects rumors

Misbah said his complete attention is towards the ongoing pre-season training camp.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Former Pakistan cricket Test captain Misbah ul Haq on Wednesday rejected that the he has applied for the job of Pakistan cricket teams head coach.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday, he said that all such reports tipping him as the next head coach of the Pak team are rumors and nothing else, adding that he has not applied for the job.

As many as 18 players are taking part in the useful activity under the supervision of Misbah. The PCB has organized the camp to achieve the objective of enhancing players fitness and endurance ahead of Pakistan’s coming assignment of two-Test series of the ICC championship against Sri Lanka at home.

Responding to questions on the issue, the former test batsman said “My complete attention is towards the ongoing pre-season training camp and I am focusing on the assignment given by the PCB and doing my best to improve the fitness players of centrally contracted players .My objective is to help the players to make significant improvement in their overall fitness and to better their existing standards and to pick the best players.”

To another question, Misbah said form and fitness will be the main criteria of players selection in the national team. “If a player gains top fitness it cannot guarantee him a place in the team, obviously his performance in the domestic season will also determine his prospects at the time of selection and in my opinion both performance are fitness will be given the same consideration during the selection process.”

He said this ongoing camp is of greater significance as fitness is a key factor which helps the players to improve their playing abilities in their respective departments. “Without attaining required or top fitness any player cannot perform up to a top level and I will be working on every player to inspire him to develop a culture of getting top fitness which will only possible of generating interest of personal training and giving attention to fitness,” said the former Pak captain.

When asked about his opinion regarding the selection of Pakistan cricket captain, he said, “PCB has the final say and authority regarding appointment of the captain and I cannot comment on it.” Misbah termed the coming assignment of Pakistan cricket team of playing two ICC test championship matches at home ‘important’ and a test of players to show their temperament and technique required to perform in the longest version of the game.

“You need patience and a lot of concentration while you are playing test cricket and I think our players must pay extra attention and put in efforts to excel in test cricket,” he asserted.