Abdur Rauf: “Appointing Saqlain Mushtaq as head coach would be a worse decision than Aaqib Javed, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq. This would be a complete disaster for Pakistan cricket”

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Former fast bowler Abdur Rauf believes it would be a “a complete disaster for Pakistan cricket” if legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq were to be made head coach.

Aaqib Javed recently served as head coach on an interim basis, but has since been appointed Director of High-Performance.

In his place, Mike Hesson has been named white-ball head coach, but it remains to be seen who will take over as Pakistan’s red-ball coach.

While Mushtaq’s name has been floating around as a head coach candidate for quite some time, Rauf feels appointing the 48-year-old “would be a worse decision than Aaqib Javed, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq”.

“Appointing Saqlain Mushtaq as head coach would be a worse decision than Aaqib Javed, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq. This would be a complete disaster for Pakistan cricket. How can those who have not been able to produce a spin bowler in the last fifteen years be capable of a role for which they have neither the required qualifications nor the education?” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Pakistan team have endured a series of disappointing results as of late, starting with a group stage exit at the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they went winless.

Afterwards, the men in green embarked on a limited overs tour of New Zealand, but were crushed 4-1 in the T20Is and 3-0 in the ODIs.

Many of the Pakistan players are now involved in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL).

PSL 10 was suspended midway through due to Pakistan’s border tensions with India, but resumed shortly after and is now set to end on May 25.

Once PSL 10 finishes, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series in Lahore from May 28 to June 1.