Saqlain Mushtaq declines PCB’s offer to become full-time head coach

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had managed to rope in Saqlain Mushtaq as the interim head coach of the team in September. He took over the reins from Misbah-ul-Haq, who had stepped down from the position of head coach after the conclusion of the West Indies tour in September 2021. Mushtaq travelled with the Pakistan team in the UAE for the 20-20 World Cup. He did a fabulous job and helped the team reach the semifinal of the showpiece event.

The Babar Azam-led team played a fearless brand of cricket and were even unbeaten in the Group Stage of the global event. The PCB were also happy with the way the team played and appreciated the players and support staff for the stellar run.

For the same, it had also approached Mushtaq to be the head coach of the team on a full-time basis. However, he has declined the offer and won’t continue with the post. Mushtaq stated that he would continue working as the coach at the High-Performance Center in Lahore.

The former Pakistan off-spinner conveyed his message to the PCB chief Ramiz Raja during a meeting. The 45-year-old revealed he does not want to take full-time coaching as he has prior business and personal commitments. “Saqlain told the chairman that while he was happy to have contributed as interim head coach he wouldn’t be able to accept a long-term and permanent assignment as head coach as he had prior business and personal commitments,” a source said as quoted by The Indian Express.

“Saqlain conveyed that already his business has been affected due to his absence with the Pakistan team as interim head coach,” the source added.

Mushtaq and skipper Babar Azam have also expressed their desire to have foreign coaches for the team.