Saqlain Mushtaq confirmed to replace Aaqib Javed as Pakistan head coach after CT 2025 disaster

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to retain Aaqib Javed as head coach following the national team's underwhelming campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Notably, the board is now exploring other options, with former cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq emerging as the leading candidate for the role.

Pakistan's campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 came to an early end after consecutive losses to New Zealand and India. They had slim chances to reach the semi-finals if Bangladesh beat New Zealand. However, the Kiwis secured a five-wicket win, which confirmed Pakistan's elimination alongside Bangladesh.

Pakistan Cricket Board Considering Appointing New Head Coach for National Team

According to the latest news reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering appointing a new head coach for the national team ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand. The Pakistan national cricket team will tour New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODI matches from March 16 to April 5.

The five-match T20I series will begin on March 16 in Christchurch and will be completed in Wellington (March 26). Following the T20I matches, the two cricket teams will compete in a three-match ODI series, with games set to take place in Napier (March 29), Hamilton (April 2), and Mount Maunganui (April 5).

Saqlain Mushtaq Emerges as the Leading Candidate for Head Coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team

Journalist Qadir Khawaja stated that former cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq is the leading candidate for the head coach position. He is expected to be appointed for the New Zealand series. Khawaja also mentioned that Mushtaq accepted the offer to coach after meeting with the PCB chairman.

"Saqlain Mushtaq is the favorite candidate for the position of head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. Saqlain Mushtaq is likely to be appointed as the coach for the New Zealand series. A meeting between Saqlain Mushtaq and PCB Chairman concluded a short while ago. Saqlain Mushtaq has accepted the offer to coach the Pakistan team," Qadir Khawaja wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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Saqlain Mushtaq is the favorite candidate for the position of head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Saqlain Mushtaq is likely to be appointed as the coach for the New Zealand series.A meeting between Saqlain Mushtaq and PCB Chairman concluded a short while ago,…

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) March 1, 2025

Saqlain Mushtaq Previously Served as Head Coach of Pakistan

After Misbah Ul Haq's departure in 2021, Saqlain took over as the head of the men's cricket team. The former spinner held the position for two years until 2023. However, Saqlain was replaced by Mickey Arthur in the previous year when Najam Sethi was the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.

For the unversed, former Pakistan pacer Aqib Javed was appointed as the interim head coach for the national men's cricket team after Jason Gillespie resigned. Gillespie stepped down due to differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board. Javed was appointed as the interim head coach until the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan were eliminated from the 2025 Champions Trophy without reaching the semifinals. The Men in Green also suffered group-stage exits in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their last ICC tournament victory came in the 2017 Champions Trophy under Sarfaraz Ahmed's captaincy.

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