Just when we were digesting the news of Mike Hesson taking over as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, a fresh twist has emerged on the red-ball front — and it comes straight from former cricketer Basit Ali’s social media feed.
In a rather bold and unconfirmed update, Basit took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “Red-ball’s head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq. Congratulations.”
No quotes, no sources, just a photo of Misbah in Test whites and a flat-out congratulatory message. So… what’s going on?
Is Misbah-ul-Haq Making a Comeback?
Now, let’s be clear: there’s been no official word from either Misbah-ul-Haq or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). But Basit Ali’s tweet has stirred the pot. And let’s be honest — in Pakistan cricket, silence is often more telling than a press release.
Read More: Mike Hesson Joins Pakistan Cricket Team as White-Ball Coach
With Mike Hesson officially set to take charge of the white-ball squad from May 26, the spotlight naturally shifted to who would handle the red-ball responsibilities. If Basit is right, then Misbah-ul-Haq could be walking right back into a familiar role.
Misbah’s Coaching Past: A Mixed Bag
Remember, this wouldn’t be Misbah’s first rodeo. He previously served as Pakistan’s head coach and chief selector from 2019 to 2021. That dual role, by the way, raised quite a few eyebrows at the time.
During his red-ball tenure as coach, Pakistan played 16 Tests under him, winning 7, losing 6, and drawing 3. Decent? Maybe. Impressive? Not exactly.
While Misbah brought calmness and discipline to the setup, critics often pointed out his lack of tactical sharpness, especially in away tours. His decisions were conservative, his approach rigid, and the team, at times, looked directionless.
So, the obvious question is: why go back to him now?
Read More: Shoaib Malik Resigns from PCB Mentorship Role
PCB’s Love for Familiar Faces?
If Basit’s claim is accurate, it speaks to a pattern we’ve seen before — the PCB circling back to tried (if not fully tested) names.
You’d think after Hesson’s progressive appointment, the red-ball role would also go to someone modern, aggressive, and future-facing. But if Misbah is indeed the pick, it feels like a safe, nostalgic choice rather than a bold new direction.
This could be the board’s way of balancing innovation with familiarity — Hesson brings tactical nous for the T20 and ODI setups, while Misbah provides stability and discipline in the longest format.
But that theory only works if Misbah has evolved since his last stint.
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