No conspiracy against Waqar: PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday made it clear that Waqar Younis' resignation as head coach of the national team has nothing to do with the recent sacking of the support staff but was a personal decision related to family and health reasons.

In a surprise development, Waqar announced at a press conference that he will quit the post at the end of the Zimbabwe tour. © AFP

In a surprise development, Waqar announced at a press conference that he will quit the post at the end of the Zimbabwe tour.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed said that Waqar had informed Board Chairman Ijaz Butt about his decision some days back and there was "no conspiracy theory behind his resignation".

"The reason we told him to announce his resignation at a press conference was to clear the situation and dispel any impressions there might be other reasons for his resignation," Ahmed told PTI.

Ahmad said Waqar had informed Butt 10 days back that he was facing some family and health issues and he had been away from home for a long time.

"We understand his position and we are really thankful to him that he agreed to continue for the Zimbabwe tour. We would have liked him to continue as coach and fulfill his contract but he has his personal reasons for the decision," the PCB official stated.

Ahmad clarified that the recent changes in the team management had nothing to do with Waqar's decision.

Asked if the changes in the team management were related to the demand by former ODI captain Shahid Afridi, Ahmad said this was not correct.

"The decisions to change the team management were taken because Intikhab, Aaqib and Shahid Aslam were required to spend more time in the national academy while Waqar's resignation is something beyond his or our control. Waqar had also joined the fast track camp late because of some tests he had in Sydney," he said.

Ahmad said that the Board would soon deliberate on a new coach for the Pakistan team.

"We have two month's time before Pakistan plays Sri Lanka in UAE and we will soon sit down and discuss all possibilities and look at the best available candidates," he said.

Asked if the Board would consider having a foreign coach, Ahmad said all options would be discussed.

But he noted that foreign coaches had issues with the security situation in Pakistan.

The PCB official admitted that Waqar's resignation was a setback for the Board as the national team was due to play some tough series after the Zimbabwe tour.

"But we have to move on and ensure that the progress being made by the team continues on target," he said.