Pakistan selector Misbah-ul-Haq has defended his association with Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, after the policy of the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding its employees working with franchises in the Pakistan Super League came under scrutiny.
The PCB’s policy of allowing its employees to work with PSL franchises has been questioned after Misbah confirmed he was involved with Peshawar Zalmi as a consultant.
At the start of the PSL, the Pakistan board had stopped Sarfaraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz from working with the Quetta Gladiators franchise.
The board said that under its policy, former players who were on the PCB payroll were not allowed to work in the PSL in any capacity, as it was a conflict of interest.
But Misbah defended his involvement with Peshawar Zalmi despite being a paid national selector and batting consultant with the PCB.
“I had signed a contract with Zalmi before I became national selector and I only work for them as consultant on given days in a season,” Misbah told the media while wearing the Peshawar Zalmi kit.
Asked how he got permission from the PCB to work in the PSL when Sarfaraz, who was with him on the selection committee, and Wahab were stopped from working with Quetta Gladiators, Misbah said his case was different and that the PCB could best explain the matter.
Misbah, who has also remained the national team’s head coach and chief selector and has been in and out of the PCB in some capacity since 2019, said that as a national selector it was helpful for him to work closely in the PSL and watch young players in action.
“When you watch and observe them up close and see how they react to a particular situation, it becomes easier for you to take decisions as a national selector,” he said.
