Dean Jones wishes Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis over their Pakistan coaching roles

Pakistan cricket eventually found its new head coach for the national team in the form of Misbah-ul-Haq. The 45-year-old succeeded South African-born Mickey Arthur who lost his job following the Men in Green’s poor performance in the cricket World Cup that concluded in July. Apart from Arthur, other coaching staff members like Grant Flower, Azhar Mahmood and Grant Luden were also removed. Besides Misbah, former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis was appointed as the bowling coach.

Misbah, who played his final international match as recently as in 2017, will be in charge of the team in all three formats for a period of three years. Also, the former middle-order batsman was named as the chief selector with the head coaches of the six first-class cricket bodies of the country as his fellow selectors. Misbah thus replaces another Haq – Inzamam-ul – in that position.

Jones calls Misbah, Waqar as his ‘good mates’

Former Australia batsman Dean Jones, who was also in the race for the coach’s position and gave Misbah a close chase, wished both the former Pakistan players for bagging the top roles. In a tweet, Prof Deano called the duo “good mates” and expressed confidence that they would do good in their respective roles.

Jones though doesn’t have too much of an experience as an international coach, he has been successful twice as a coach in the Pakistan Super League and has a rapport with the Pakistan Cricket Board officials. However, the fact that the general mood in Pakistan cricket against a foreign coach after Arthur’s debacle could have reduced his chances of bagging the job. Former West Indies captain and pacer Courtney Walsh was also in the fray.

I want to wish my 2 good mates in @captainmisbahpk and @waqyounis99 all the best in their new posts. We have won Championships together and they will do well for Pakistan. Good luck men. #anotherchallenge

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) September 4, 2019

While Misbah was a unanimous selection, the PCB picked two-time former head coach Waqar as the bowling coach. The 47-year-old former speedster had also worked as Pakistan’s bowling coach in the mid-2000s.

“I am excited to once again have someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Waqar Younis in my corner as a bowling coach. We have exciting young fast bowlers in our ranks and there is no better person than Waqar to transform them into modern-day stars,” Misbah was quoted as saying by India Today.

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