Misbah should have learned ropes at NCA before aiming for head coaching job: Saqlain Mushtaq

Spin great Saqlain Mushtaq has said that Misbahul Haq should have learned his coaching ropes at the National Cricket Academy before being given the head coaching role of the Pakistan cricket team.

Misbah has applied for the job and is widely expected to land the role, with the sole stumbling block being his exorbitant salary demands.

Doosra inventor Mushtaq acknowledges that Misbah has the coaching germs but is of the opinion that the man from Mianwali could still have used a year or two of preparing himself at lower levels

“Misbahul Haq is a wonderful player and a great leader,” Mushtaq said in a YouTube video. “He was very disciplined and his attitude was very good. He served Pakistan honestly and was loyal to the country. He has many qualities.

“But I think this would a little premature. It definitely seems that he has what it takes to manage his duties as a head coach but it would have been even better had he spent a year or two in the coaching setup.

Mushtaq said that some coaching experience would have eased Misbah’s transition into the main job.

“Of course, you learn on the fly too but without prior experience [of coaching] learning takes more time,” he said. “In my opinion, had he been made the head of the National Cricket Academy and exposed to player development, then he would have had a better idea of the head coaching job.”

“Good luck to PCB and Misbah if he is appointed the head coach,” Mushtaq added.