Misbah-ul-Haq resigns as Pakistan head coach, Waqar Younis leaves bowling lead role

Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq will take charge for the white-ball matches against New Zealand, with the team for the T20 World Cup to be confirmed in due course

Misbah-ul-Haq has stood down as Pakistan head coach just weeks before the start of the T20 World Cup.

The 47-year-old was appointed on a three-year deal in 2019 when he also took on the role of national selector.

He gave up that position after 13 months and has abandoned the second responsibility with a year to run on his deal.

It was during the recent tour of West Indies - Pakistan won the T20 series 1-0 before a 1-1 draw in the Tests - that Misbah came to the decision.

Upon learning of the development, bowling coach Waqar Younis has also stood down.

"I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step in and take the side forward.

England Men and Women tour of Pakistan moved to Rawalpindi

"The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. 

"I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan."

The news comes just days before the white-ball matches against New Zealand get underway and weeks prior to the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan start their campaign against India on October 24.

They are also due to face England in October in a tune-up series ahead of the tournament.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq have been placed in charge for the matches against The Black Caps with a decision on the management team for the World Cup to be made in due course.

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.