Pakistan emulate England as PCB set to split coaching roles after Babar Azam's captaincy reinstatement - Reports
Updated - 31 Mar 2024, 04:06 PM
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced plans to hire separate foreign coaches for both red-ball and white-ball formats. This decision follows the recent advertisement by the PCB seeking candidates for vacant head coach positions for the national team.
The Pakistan cricket team have been without a head coach since Mohammad Hafeez stepped down from his position as Director of Cricket for the men’s team. The former Pakistan captain parted ways last month after leadership changes within the cricket board.
Before Pakistan’s red-ball series against Australia, Mohammad Hafeez assumed the roles of team director and head coach. Shan Masood led the team after Babar Azam resigned, but unfortunately, Pakistan suffered a 0-3 series defeat against Australia.
Pakistan suffered a disappointing 1-4 defeat in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand under the captaincy of Shaheen Afridi. Critics blamed Hafeez for breaking Pakistan’s successful T20 opening combination of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
PCB To Hire Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie – Reports
The PCB advertised vacancies for red-ball and white-ball coaching positions on Saturday. Candidates, whether foreign or local, must apply by April 15 and possess at least five years of coaching experience at domestic, international, or franchise levels, along with a minimum of level two coaching credentials.
The PCB source informed PTI that discussions have begun with Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, expressing interest in their long-term appointment. Kirsten may lead the white-ball coaching setup, while Gillespie could assume responsibility for the red-ball side.
The source revealed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was adhering strictly to protocol and had briefed the Board of Governors about all ongoing developments.
Additionally, the source emphasized Naqvi’s commitment to providing appointed coaches with secure contracts and tenure, ensuring stability, and preventing abrupt changes based on individual preferences.
“He has given the advertisement to ensure that whoever is appointed as coaches are given a proper contract and tenure to show their worth and not change at the whims and fancies of any chairman,” the source said, as quoted by PTI.
It marks the first instance in a while that PCB has formally advertised coaching positions for the national team, contrasting previous practices under chairmen Zaka Ashraf and Najam Sethi, where coaches were appointed without advertisement.
Babar Azam Appointed As Pakistan White-Ball Captain – PCB
On Sunday, March 31, the PCB officially reappointed Babar Azam as the captain of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team in both white-ball formats. The board made the decision following a “unanimous recommendation from the selection committee.”
“Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain. Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” PCB wrote on X.
After Pakistan’s departure from the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India, the 29-year-old stepped down from the captaincy of all three formats. Shaheen Afridi, who took over the T20Is in November 2023, now has to make way for his former skipper.
Also read: Babar Azam reveals the One Condition to PCB after which he will agree to captain Pakistan once again
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Babar Azam Gary Kirsten Jason Gillespie Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Pakistan national cricket team
