Process of changing captains is very 'unpleasant', says Misbah-ul-Haq

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq lamented that the process of changing the national team's captain is very "unpleasant" which affects the players.

Misbah made these comments after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reinstated Babar Azam as white-ball skipper, replacing pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, ahead of the Green Shirt's five-match T20I series against New Zealand set to commence on April 18.

The board, in a statement, said that the change in captaincy was a "strategic move" aimed at ensuring player well-being and peak performance and that the decision reflected PCB's resolve to safeguard the longevity of the players, especially the fast bowlers.

Speaking to media persons in Lahore, Misbah shed his opinion on the change of captaincy, saying that the manner in which the skipper was changed before was wrong and is still wrong. 

"We have all star players. Babar Azam is a star and Shaheen Shah is a star and our best wishes are with the team that they perform well," said the 49-year-old. 

He also gave his two cents on the appointment of coaches, saying that whether the coach is local or a foreigner, the cricket board should first take into consideration what the team needs and then make a decision. 

"[PCB] should see which coach can prove to be better and can manage the team well," added Misbah.

The former player said that if the local and foreigner coaches work together then it would be better, adding that it would help in the development of the local coaches while the foreigners would be able to learn from the locals.