Pakistan cricket in chaos as coach steps down hours after T20 World Cup squad announced

Pakistan 's head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, and bowling coach, Waqar Younis, have stepped down from their roles, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed.

Both had a year remaining on their contracts but have now decided to step away, with their departures announced mere hours after Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup was selected.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq have now been named as interim coaches, with the PCB set to appoint permanent replacements "in due course".

Their departures come as Ramiz Raja is expected to replace Ehsan Mani as PCB chairman, with Pakistan cricket now in a major state of change.

In a statement, Misbah said: "The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead.

"Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.

"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.

"The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support.

"I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan."

Younis, meanwhile, said: "After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together.

"Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress.

"Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days.

"The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them.

"I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be brighter days ahead."

Just over two hours before Misbah and Younis stepped down, Pakistan announced their squad for the T20 World Cup which begins next month.

There were several high-profile omissions from the squad, with veterans Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz not involved, while Fakhar Zaman is among the reserves.