Reports | Four PSL franchises against involvement of Misbah Ul Haq in any capacity

Six franchises of the Pakistan Super League met recently to decide upon the categories of the players’ draft for next month. A PCB official was clearly informed, in the meeting, by four franchises that they don't approve of the involvement of the chief selector cum head coach Misbah ul Haq in the tournament.

They cited the conflict of interest which might arise due to the involvement of the former skipper as the reason for such pleas. They denounced the involvement of Misbah in any capacity in the fifth edition of the tournament.

“These franchises made it clear they don’t want Misbah to take part in the PSL in any capacity either as coach or director with any franchise as it would be a major conflict of interest,” a source said according to a Hindustan Times report.

Interestingly, this is not the first time a Pakistan chief selector has been asked to pull out of the tournament. Previously, Inzamam-ul-Haq faced such stands by the franchises and had to step down from the committee that finalised players list for the draft and also had to call off his association with a franchise.

“One franchise owner made the point that the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani himself has said that he couldn’t remove Pakistan’s former head coach Mickey Arthur and bowling coach Azhar Mahmood from the support staff of a franchise as they had got permission to take part in the PSL from the previous PCB chairman,” the source added.

In this case, Misbah’s agreement with the PCB entitles him to work for any franchise of the tournament, but only without any remuneration from the board. While some franchises are opposing Misbah’s involvement in the tournament, a couple of other franchises are eager to have his services as coach or director of their team in the fifth edition of the PSL which is scheduled to be held in February-March, 2020.