Misbah-ul-Haq submitted his resignation after reportedly being excluded from discussions over major changes to Pakistan’s Test squad and coaching staff during the England tour.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s national selection committee, adding to the turmoil surrounding Pakistan’s Test team after a major mid-series overhaul in England. Multiple reports confirmed on Tuesday, Sept. 1, that Misbah had submitted his resignation to the PCB.
According to sources cited by Pakistani media, Misbah sent his resignation to the PCB by email. The reported reason is his dissatisfaction with the way major selection decisions were taken without consulting him, despite his position on the national selection committee.
The immediate trigger was the PCB’s decision to release seven players from Pakistan’s Test squad ahead of the third and final Test against England. The players sent home were Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
The PCB also removed Sarfaraz Ahmed as red-ball head coach and Umar Gul as fast-bowling coach. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been assigned responsibility for the final Test at Edgbaston, scheduled for Sept. 9-13.
The sweeping changes followed Pakistan’s 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s, which gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. Pakistan had already suffered a heavy defeat in the opening Test, leaving the team under intense pressure.
Misbah was reportedly unhappy that he was not involved in the discussions surrounding the seven-player release and subsequent squad changes. Pakistani reports specifically identified the lack of consultation over the players being sent to England as a key reason behind his decision.
Misbah joined the national selection committee in March 2026, alongside former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, as part of a restructuring following Aleem Dar’s departure.
Reports also say Misbah has decided to step down from his separate role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. However, there is an important distinction: the PCB had not yet formally accepted his resignation at the time of the latest reports, meaning the process was not yet fully completed.
The development has further intensified criticism of the PCB’s handling of Pakistan’s Test setup. Former players and coaches, including Ramiz Raja, Shahid Afridi and Mickey Arthur, have questioned the scale and timing of the changes, with criticism focused on the lack of stability and the decision to make sweeping alterations during an ongoing Test series.
Pakistan now faces England in the third Test at Edgbaston from Sept. 9, with the team attempting to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash amid one of the most significant shake-ups of its Test setup in recent times.
What We Know So Far
Resigned: Misbah-ul-Haq
Position: PCB national selection committee member
Resignation submitted: Sept. 1, 2026
Method reported: Email to the PCB
Main reported reason: Major selection decisions were made without consulting him
Seven players released: Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad
Coaching changes: Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were removed from their Test roles
New Test coaching arrangement: Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke
Final England Test: Sept. 9-13 at Edgbaston
Series situation: England lead 2-0
Important status: Reports said the PCB had not yet formally accepted Misbah’s resignation
Additional reported move: Misbah also intends to leave his batting consultant role at the National Cricket Academy.
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