Revealed: Why Shane Watson rejected Pakistan head coach role despite PCB meeting all demands

Former Australia cricketer Shane Watson was in line to become the head coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team. However, at the last minute, he turned down the offer despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) meeting all his demands, both financial and others.

Some reports hogged the headlines related to the contract of Shane Watson. It was revealed that the former Australian all-rounder was handed over a deal of 2 million dollars per annum to coach the team. It attracted a lot of attention from fans and experts about the money that he would be getting.

As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board held discussions with Shane Watson, who was head coach of Quetta Gladiators, during the PSL 2024. The all-rounder reportedly agreed to take up the role and kept some conditions, which the governing body accepted.

A source close to PCB told PTI: “Watson had initially shown interest and kept certain financial and other conditions to accept the offer.”

Earlier it was revealed that Shane Watson didn’t accept the offer because of his prior commitments as a commentator in IPL and also in the MLC besides wanting to give more time to his young family in Sydney.

But the source revealed why Shane Watson turned down the offer to coach the Pakistan team. He stated that after PCB accepted the financial demands of the former Australian all-rounder, he wasn’t happy with details getting leaked in the media. He added:

“But after the board more or less accepted Watson’s financial demands the Australian was not happy that details of the proposed package were leaked out in the Pakistan media and social media.”

The source also revealed that apart from Shane Watson, Daren Sammy was also in contention to become the head coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team. But the West Indies legend didn’t agree because he was already contracted to the West Indies board.

After Shane Watson’s denial, PCB appointed local coaches as an interim arrangement for the camp and NZ series

The reports also claimed that after Shane Watson opted out, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now looking to appoint local coaches as an interim arrangement for the camp and New Zealand series.

The source claimed that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will have to take a call before the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He elaborated:

“A team of local coaches as an interim arrangement for the camp and NZ series is the only available option for the PCB now and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be required to make a call after the PSL final on 18th March.”

It was also learned that former Pakistan captains, Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Inzamam ul Haq, and Moin Khan were in consideration for the role. But Mohsin Naqvi is keen to appoint overseas coaches to make the team ready for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA and Champions Trophy 2025 early next year in Pakistan.