The cracks in the Pakistan cricket set-up are only widening amid the senior men’s team’s floundering World Cup 2023 campaign. The challenges confronting Pakistan Cricket post their exit from the 2023 World Cup continues to mount. The latest development reveals Morne Morkel’s resignation from his role as the bowling coach of the Pakistan Men’s team. The former South African fast bowler, who commenced his six-month contract in June, initiated his tenure during the team’s Sri Lanka tour for a two-match Test series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will announce Morkel’s successor in due course. Pakistan’s upcoming series is a three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024. Additionally, the team is set to travel to Australia on December 1, establishing a camp for the tour starting November 21. It also to be kept in mind that the Pakistan team have never won a series against Australia in Australia.
In the World Cup, Pakistan faced challenges after two initial victories, suffering four consecutive losses, making semifinal qualification virtually impossible in their last league-stage match against England, where they needed to chase down an imposing total of 338 runs within 6.4 overs. This marks the fifth consecutive ODI World Cup where Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals, sparking discussions and concerns in their home country.
Inzamam ul Haq resigned from role of chief selector
Earlier, the former cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq also resigned as Pakistan’s chief selector on November 30. His resignation came during the ongoing ODI Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, prompted by the team’s four consecutive losses. There were also rumours that allegations of a conflict of interest in World Cup team selection dissatisfied him.
Moreover, Inzamam submitted his resignation to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf. The termination of Inzamam’s contract could pose a financial burden, with reports suggesting a possible payout of PKR 15 million. This situation, coupled with the contract controversy and potential conflicts of interest, has cast uncertainty over Inzamam’s past role as chief selector, creating challenges for Pakistan Cricket.
Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this news:
I am very happy Legendary Morne Morkel left Pakistan's management!
A player of such stature doesn't deserve such humiliation??
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 13, 2023
#BabarAzam? ka v captaincy Alla-Taalla ke hanth me h ab.. ???
— RAJEEV YADAV (@RAJEEVY88582492) November 13, 2023
Was an ineffective coach. He has taken good decision
— Hassan (@iamHassanSajid) November 13, 2023
Umar Gul is new bowling Coach of Pakistan team???
— A Class Cricket (@aclasscricket92) November 13, 2023
Morne Morkel steps down as Pakistan's bowling coach, marking a change in the coaching landscape.
— ?????kh?????? (@akhil_nair_777) November 13, 2023
Avi bahut log resigned maarega…. wait kro na ek do din..???
— RAJEEV YADAV (@RAJEEVY88582492) November 13, 2023
But our team director (micky) is not responding I mean he is just a director not a head coach ?
— Abdullah majid ?? (@abdullah_hmajid) November 13, 2023
150 speed bhayjaan pic.twitter.com/SQYSqO1CQa
— White knight ? (@santhoshtiger14) November 13, 2023
