LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday issued notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a petition challenging the appointment of former captain Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach of the national team.

Syed Ali Zahid Bokhari, a lawyer by profession, filed the petition and appeared in person to advance arguments when Justice Ameer Bhatti resumed first hearing. The lawyer stated that the former captain did not have the required credentials or the experience to coach the national team. He said the appointment had been made in an unjust manner where merit has not been observed.

Zahid further said that since Prime Minister Imran Khan and Misbah are distant maternal cousin, the PCB is favouring the latter to please the former. He said PCB CEO Waseem Khan at a press conference admitted that Misbah did not possess the required experience as coach.

At one of the hearings, the judge asked the petitioner as if he had any doubt in the cricketing skills of Misbah. “Is he not a cricket star?” the judge asked the lawyer and said he should rather be happy that this time PCB had not imported a coach from abroad.

Advocate Bokhari said he himself was a great admirer of Misbah for his achievements but his appointment had not been made in line with the rules. He urged the judge to declare the appointment of Misbah null and void.

Present in the court, PCB legal advisor Taffazul Haider Rizvi opposed the petition. However, the judge adjou­rned hearing and has sought written reply from the PCB.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2019