'Need an international coach who understands cricket inside out' - Shoaib Malik's dig at Misbah-ul-Haq after Pakistan's loss against Zimbabwe

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has bashed Pakistan coaching staff led by former cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq after the team was dismissed for just 99 runs against Zimbabwe to lose their first T20 against the opposition on Friday.

Malik, who last played for Pakistan in September 2020, added that “unacquainted decision-makers” should take a backseat and allow Pakistan skipper Babar Azam to go about his business. He also accused the coaching staff of making decisions on the basis on “likes and dislikes”.

Giving his suggestion about coaching the national team, the 39-year-old suggested that Pakistan should opt for an international white-ball coach “who understands cricket inside out.”

We need an international white-ball coach who understands cricket: Shoaib Malik

“Unacquainted decision-makers need to take a step back; Babar and chief selector need to call the shots. In my opinion we need an international white ball coach who understands cricket inside out & grooms our captain whilst giving clarity to our players for coming time…”

“When your management relies on likes and dislikes especially when your cricket is just in surviving mode, then what else do expect as a nation? On top of that when you don’t let your captain take decisions this is bound to happen…,” Shoaib Malik said in a tweet.

Further, former batsman Ramiz Raza termed the defeat a ‘dark moment in the history of Pakistan cricket’.

“Dark moment in the history of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan players played reckless shots and there was no technique or partnership. Muzarabani was the only quality bowler in their line-up and if you get a chance to watch the replays you will see that our batting seemed so ordinary against him,” said the former player in a video uploaded on his official YouTube channel.

Pakistan’s bowlers did well to restrict the opponents to 118, although, during their attempt to chase the target, they never looked at ease, and lost as many as 7 wickets for 21 runs towards the end of the innings. Only three of their batsmen managed to score in double digits as Zimbabwe levelled the series 1-1. The final T20I will be played on Sunday (25th April, 2021) at the same venue.