New Delhi: The exit of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis as head coach and bowling coach, respectively, of the Pakistan cricket team has left the Pakistanis divided. While some are heartbroken as they now see the country’s chances of winning the upcoming T20 World Cup shattered, others are relieved, sharing DDLJ memes to celebrate the duo’s exit.
Misbah and Waqar stepped down as coaches. pic.twitter.com/KcPNkygnGU
— ??????? ?? (@itsmeSehrish) September 6, 2021
Some shared a clip from the Bollywood film Chup Chup Ke, hinting how Pakistani bowler Asif Ali will react to Misbah-ul-Haq’s resignation.
Asif Ali on Misbah Ul Haq resignation: pic.twitter.com/RoWwzUPUaq
— J110 (@jawismm) September 6, 2021
Another user wrote, “Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younus are no more coach” with a meme saying, “Yeh to chamatkar ho gaya!”.
Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younus are no more coach. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mOd0MuYZe9
— Tahreem? (@tweetsbytahreem) September 6, 2021
Blaming the former cricketers for “screwing Pakistan cricket”, a user shared a meme, yet again from a Rajpal Yadav movie.
Misbah ul Haq and Waqar younus after screwing pakistan cricket: pic.twitter.com/enzGxahEpg
— anastipu (@teepusahab) September 6, 2021
Then, there were those who called the exit a publicity stunt.
I was total in favor of Misbah and Waqar but leaving your job right before what you have been hired for is a pathetic decision.
PCB should ban both Misbah and Waqar for lifetime after this stunt.
— Usman (@Maaani007) September 6, 2021
Mourning their sudden departure, a Twitter user wrote: “After Amir and Wahab Retirement and Hasan injury, Misbah and Waqar Take the Charge and Started Building Our Test Side From Zero. Now Pakistan Test Team Looking Strong, A Lot of Hard Work Behind this and Dream of Winning WTC Gonna be Crashed”.
After Amir and Wahab Retirement and Hasan injury, Misbah and Waqar Take the Charge and Started Building Our Test Side From Zero. Now Pakistan Test Team Looking Strong, A Lot of Hard Work Behind this and Dream of Winning WTC Gonna be Crashed
— ?????? ?????? ?? (@iam_JZK) September 6, 2021
Several other Pakistanis blamed their exit on chief selector Mohammad Wasim, who, they claimed, came up with “a ridiculous team selection”, and didn’t give them the squad that they wanted for the World T20.
The biggest beneficiary of the resignations of #Misbah and #Waqar is actually Mohammad Wasim.
All the spotlight on the chief selector for the ridiculous team selection, has been diverted to the resigned coaches.
— Annus Raza (@annusraza) September 6, 2021
Australian Cricket blogger Denis Miswaq wrote, “Misbah and Waqar have resigned. Why? They didn’t get the squad that they wanted for the World T20. Welcome to Pakistan”.
Misbah and Waqar have resigned.
Why?
They didn't get the squad that they wanted for the World T20
Welcome to Pakistan
— Dennis Miswaq (@DennisCricket_) September 6, 2021
There were many others who bashed the outgoing coaches for destroying the Pakistan cricket team.
One user said, “Again misbah and Waqar destroying Pakistan cricket. Just like they did till 2015 after their exit Pakistan won Champions trophy under the Captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmad whom they did not want to play in 2015 world cup and after they came back they sidelined Sarfaraz”.
Again misbah and Waqar destroying Pakistan cricket
Just like they did till 2015 after their exit Pakistan won Champions trophy under the Captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmad whom they did not want to play in 2015 world cup and after they came back they sidelined Sarfaraz.#ENGvPAK
— Ali Hasnain Ansari (@dudelovehunny) July 10, 2021
Another accused them of “destroying Pakistan Cricket” by “resigning at crucial time — just before #T20WorldCup” and said that for them “personal interest is greater than country”.
After destroying Pakistan Cricket both Misbah and Waqar resigned at crucial time just before #T20WorldCup
Personal interest is greater than Country #Cricket
— Shazziya Mehmood (@shaziyaaM) September 6, 2021
A Twitter account justified slamming them for their sudden exit, saying they should have “cleared the air from their side”.
If Misbah and Waqar had to go that way they should have given the exit reason for their exit. Should have cleared the air from their side, now that they haven't so criticism on their sudden exit is justified
— Khurram Aziz (@khurramaziz123) September 6, 2021
Explaining his exit, Misbah said: “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”.
Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq are likely to take their positions as interim coaches until the Pakistan Cricket Board finds someone suitable for the role.
Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis have resigned from their posts as Head Coach and Bowling Coach respectively. A. Razzaq and Saqlain Mushtaq will perform the coaching duties during the NZ series.
— Humayoun Ahmed Khan (@HumayounAK) September 6, 2021