Shane Watson puts PCB on it's knees; to become Pakistan's highest-paid coach

Former Australian all-rounder and 2-time 50-over World Cup winner Shane Watson is just a few steps away from becoming the highest-ever paid head coach of the Pakistan national team. The PCB, since the arrival of new chief Mohsin Naqvi, had been on the lookout for a new head coach who can drive the team positively towards success.

The Green Army is looking to start things afresh after getting rid of their entire team management led by Mickey Arthur, including team director Mohammad Hafeez. Shane Watson is part of the new plan and he is that one personality that the PCB desperately wants to integrate in their system. This move is majorly being taken because Watson himself had been a part of several title-winning teams and also has a bit of experience in terms of coaching.

PCB complies with every demand from Shane Watson to join as head coach

Pakistan is also looking to hire Shane Watson so that the Shaheen Afridi-led team can do well in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in June in the USA & West Indies. In the last 2 editions under the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan reached close to winning their 2nd T20 WC title but missed out on both occasions.

The Men in Green after losing to eventual champions Australia in the semis of 2021, reached to the finale of the 2022 edition where they lost to Jos Buttler’s England. But with Shane Watson coming in as the new head coach, Pakistan will aim to take that one step forward and land the elusive title for a 2nd time.

Going by the reports coming from the country, PCB is more than willing to agree to all of Shane Watson’s demands so that he takes over as head coach as soon as possible. The apex board has offered him a sum of 4.6 Crore of Pakistani Rupees per month, which is going to make the Australian – the highest-paid coach that Pakistan has ever seen.

Shane Watson is currently overlooking the proceedings of Pakistan Super League outfit Quetta Gladiators as head coach for the ongoing season (9). He signed the deal with Gladiators last December and under his coaching, the team led by Rilee Rossouw, finished 4th in the points table and is slated to play Islamabad in Eliminator 1.

The 2007 and 2015 CWC winner knows the cricketing circuit of Pakistan, not because he is the coach of Quetta but because he has played for the outfit from 2018-2020 after spending 2 seasons with Islamabad United.

Shane Watson expresses worry over PCB’s fluctuating office bearers

According to the same source that reported Watson is being offered over 4 crores, the Australian is reluctant to join as head coach due to the turmoil PCB goes through now and then. The board is known for changing its head coaches as well as its office bearers and that is becoming a major concern for Shane Watson.

But the PCB is actively working to persuade the 2-time CWC and Champions trophy winner and the situation is expected to gain more clarity in the coming weeks.