Shane McDermott named Pakistan's all-format fielding coach ahead of Bangladesh tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly signed Australian fielding specialist Shane McDermott as their new fielding coach across all three formats. While the PCB has yet to make an official announcement, McDermott is likely to join the squad before the white-ball series against Bangladesh.

Shane McDermott was one of the finalists considered for the role. He has experience in both international and domestic cricket and holds a High Performance Level Three Coaching Certificate. McDermott has previously worked with teams from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and his native Australia.

Shane McDermott Set to Join Pakistan's Support Staff as All-Format Fielding Coach

According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, McDermott is set to join Pakistan's national team as part of their support staff. McDermott received backing from newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

The 44-year-old is expected to start his tenure with the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which is set to begin on Sunday, July 20, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to confirm his appointment later this week.

"Pakistan have secured the services of renowned Australian fielding specialist Shane McDermott as their all-format fielding coach," sources confirmed to Telecom Asia Sport on Friday.

"McDermott comes highly recommended by Pakistan’s new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, and is expected to join the squad ahead of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. An official announcement is anticipated later this week," the report read.

Shane McDermott's Fielding Coach Experience from Domestic and International Teams

Shane McDermott served as the assistant fielding coach for Bangladesh’s national side between 2022 and 2023. He departed following disagreements with head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.

After his exit from Bangladesh, McDermott joined Afghanistan’s coaching setup and earned acclaim for helping guide the team to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Earlier, he worked at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Centre in Brisbane from 2012 to 2019, holding roles including interim assistant coach, fielding coach, and performance analyst with the Australia A team.

McDermott also previously spent three years guiding fielding efforts for Sri Lanka’s senior team while managing the Sri Lanka A program.

Pakistan's Busy Schedule Starts with T20I Series in Bangladesh

Pakistan’s fielding, often criticized for its inconsistency in crucial moments, is set to receive a boost with the appointment of Shane McDermott as the new all-format fielding coach. The PCB aims to raise standards and bring a more professional structure under a revamped coaching setup.

The team will have a busy schedule, starting with a T20I series in Bangladesh, followed by five T20Is in the West Indies.

In other developments, former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been named the interim head coach for the Test side. The PCB is likely to appoint Salman Agha as the new all-format captain, replacing Shan Masood in Tests and Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs.

Also read: Bangladesh Head Coach abandons team in Sri Lanka to fly out