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The Pakistan National Cricket Team is all set to welcome two big names from international cricket to the coaching setup soon. Former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait and New Zealand batting star Martin Guptill are being considered for consultancy or coaching roles.
After Pakistan’s consistent poor performance across the formats for a long time now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling over making big changes in the coaching setup, as they aim to return to winning ways ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. Earlier, Babar Azam was dismissed cheaply twice on his FC comeback as Abbottabad fans left disappointed.
Shaun Tait and Martin Guptill considered for Pakistan coaching roles
According to reports from Geo News, the PCB is discussing Shaun Tait for the bowling department, while Martin Guptill could be brought in to improve Pakistan’s fielding. Tait could make a return to the Pakistan National Cricket Team as a bowling coach or consultant.
The former Australian pacer previously worked as Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach from 2022 to 2023. During his stint, Tait worked closely with pacers including Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. Pakistan also made it to the 2022 T20 World Cup final during his stint.
The PCB is also reportedly considering former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill for a fielding coach or consultant position. Guptill was one of the most dangerous white-ball batters of his generation and was also known for his athletic fielding.
The former New Zealand star’s experience could now be used to improve Pakistan’s fielding standards. It is being said that the discussion is ongoing between the PCB, Tait and Guptill.
🚨 BIG NAMES IN PAKISTAN TEAM. 🇵🇰
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) September 28, 2026
- PCB is in talks with Shaun Tait and Martin Guptill for the bowling and fielding coach roles, respectively. (Geo News) pic.twitter.com/3xAcJuF0kn
Shaun Tait’s stunning coaching resume
Tait most recently worked as Bangladesh’s pace bowling coach from 2025 to 2026. During this period, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers made strong progress, with the team also achieving a historic Test series win over Pakistan. Tait stepped down from his role this year.
The former Australian fast bowler also worked with the Afghanistan national cricket team as the bowling coach. He has also worked in franchise cricket, including coaching and consultancy roles with the Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and other domestic teams.
Apart from BPL, Tait worked as the bowling coach in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League (BBL), and Abu Dhabi T10 League. He also worked with Puducherry as the bowling coach. Amid this, Mohammad Rizwan not cooperating in NCCIA investigation, Imam-ul-Haq does this.
Tait’s incredible Australia career
Shaun Tait was one of the fastest and most aggressive bowlers of his generation. He played 35 tests and took 60 wickets, while picking up 62 wickets in 35 ODIs and 28 wickets in 21 T20Is for Australia.
He also bowled one of the fastest-ever deliveries, clocking 161.1 km/h against England at Lord’s in 2010. His first-class career was also impressive, with 198 wickets in 50 matches to his name.
Tait was part of Australia’s unbeaten 2007 World Cup-winning team and finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in that tournament with 23 wickets at an average of 20.30.
Martin Guptill’s stunning career makes him a coaching option
After retiring from the game in early 2025, Martin Guptill joined the West Indies coaching setup as a specialist white-ball mentor. He worked on batting intent and high-performance fielding drills during the New Zealand series.
He has also gained leadership and mentoring experience through franchise cricket in the IPL, CPL, and BBL, including his time as captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Guptill played 47 Tests and scored 2,586 runs, while making 7,346 runs in 198 ODIs. In T20Is, he finished with 3,531 runs from 122 matches. He retired as New Zealand’s leading T20I run-scorer and became the first Kiwi to score multiple T20I centuries.
His unbeaten 237 off 163 balls against the West Indies remains the highest individual score in World Cup history and the second-highest individual score in ODI cricket. Guptill's fielding caught the attention for the famous direct-hit run-out of MS Dhoni in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.
