National cricket team head coach and chief selector Misbahul Haq has resigned from the post of chief selector to lay his focus on coaching, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Misbah has tendered his resignation from the post of chief selector as he was under pressure due to the two heavy-demanding posts. He had reportedly been under extreme pressure since he was given the charge in 2019. Several former cricketers and experts had opposed the move.

Addressing a news conference at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters in Lahore on Wednesday, Misbahul Haq said “It is my decision to quit the post of chief selector as it will be difficult for me to focus on both duties due to the cricket team’s upcoming international commitments.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRvtnU82W38

Misbah trashed rumours that he was quitting because the PCB management was unhappy with him over his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying it had nothing to do with his meeting with the Prime Minister. “Had this been the case, I would have been removed from both posts,” he said.

Misbah said when he was given the charge in 2019 he had conveyed to the Board that there would be significant challenges in wearing two hats. “They gave me the option to decide which responsibility I would like to retain, and I opted for coaching.”

However, he clarified that he would still select the teams for the upcoming Zimbabwe and New Zealand series.

When asked to share his opinion on working as chief selector and head coach, Misbah described it as "a good experiment" but pointed out that his engagements had increased. The new chief selector will assume his duties on December 1, he added.