LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday issued notice to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a civil miscellaneous application praying to immediately stop former captain Misbah-ul-Haq from working on different posts including as head coach of the national men’s cricket team.

Syed Ali Zahid Bokhari, a lawyer by profession, filed the application in his pending main petition against the appointment of Misbah as head coach, batting coach and chief selector in the cricket board.

Referring to the disgraceful defeat in recently held T20 series with Sri Lanka, the petitioner stated before the court that the performance of the national team will get worsen if the respondent was further allowed to hold the position of head coach. He said the team selection by the respondent was very poor, which resulted in the defeat. He urged the court to pass a stay order and immediately restrain the respondent from working.

Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti observed that the court was not supposed to decide who should play in the team or not. The judge issued a notice on the application seeking reply from the PCB by next week.

The lawyer in his main petition had contended that the former captain lacked required experience to coach the team. He said the appointment had been made in a secret manner and without merit. He said prime minister Imran Khan and Misbah were distant maternal cousins and the PCB showered blessings on the latter to please the former. He said PCB CEO Wasim Khan at a press conference admitted that Misbah did not possess required experience.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2019