Before blaming him, let’s be clear about who is to blame for current state: Kamran Akmal backs Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq has had a tough time as Pakistan head coach-cum-chief selector. Thus, Kamran Akmal has come in support of underfire Misbah in a recent interaction.

Key Highlights

• Misbah-ul-Haq has had a tough time as Pakistan head coach-cum-chief selector

• Misbah replaced Mickey Arthur as the head coach post the 2019 ODI World Cup

• Kamran Akmal has come in support of underfire Misbah in a recent interaction

Pakistan cricket has been in shambles in the recent past. In 2019, the Men in Green had a forgettable run after a below-par tour of South Africa, winless ODI series versus Australia in UAE, a fifth-spot finish in the ODI World Cup, T20I series whitewash at home versus Sri Lanka followed by a winless tour of Australia.

While Pakistan managed to end the year by winning the home Test series versus the Islanders, they still haven't been consistent and ended their recent tour of England by losing the Tests (1-0) and drawing the T20Is (1-1).

Following the ODI World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced Mickey Arthur with former captain, Misbah-ul-Haq as the veteran stepped in as head coach-cum-chief selector. However, the going continues to be tough for the national side across formats.

Thus, many have lashed out at Misbah and blamed him for not being able to address the side's downfall in the recent past. However, veteran wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal extended his support to underfire Misbah. He told PakPassion.net, "Misbah has been given the dual role by the PCB for a certain period and it’s only fair that he be allowed to complete that tenure and of course he should be answerable for his policies during that period. I understand that he is facing a lot of criticism from all and sundry on television shows and social media and to remove him from his position because of this sort of pressure would be totally wrong. But before blaming Misbah, let’s be clear about who is to blame for the current situation with the Pakistan side."

He further opined, "Misbah and the current management at PCB can only bear about 10% of the blame but the real fault lies with the people who left us in this mess, namely Mickey Arthur and his predecessor. Those are the people we should make accountable for our current situation. As for Misbah, he is best placed to be at the position he is in because he has seen Pakistan cricket from the ground-up during his time as a domestic cricketer, and I would once again ask that he be allowed to complete his contract and for all questioning to be done at that point."

Kamran, who last represented the Men in Green in 2017, had also backed Babar Azam, who irked a few former Pakistani cricketers with his leadership skills in the recently-concluded England tour. The 25-year-old, who was named as the limited-overs captain amid the pandemic, ended the tour with three half-centuries and no triple-figure score.

Speaking of Misbah, a PCB official recently confirmed that they are not eyeing any changes in the team management as the former captain will continue to perform his dual role, i.e. as a coach-cum-chief selector.