PCB turns to PSL in hunt for next Pakistan men’s team head coach

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are looking to secure the services of one of the coaches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a potential head coach the men's national team, at least until the 2025 Champions Trophy. A reliable source in PCB has said that the board has had initial talks with Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators), Mike Hesson (Islamabad United) and Phil Simmons (Karachi Kings).

Pakistan have been without a permanent head coach following the sacking of Grant Bradburn after their dismal ODI World Cup campaign last year. In the recent Test series against Australia Down Under, Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez had doubled up as head coach.

“Initial talks have been held but it is too early to say if either of them is interested since at least two of them have prior assignments in other leagues as well,” the source said.

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New PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi has already made it clear that he wants to appoint a foreign coaching staff for the upcoming assignments of the Pakistan team, including the World T20 Cup and Champions Trophy.

But given PCB’s poor reputation of dealing with foreign and local coaches and support staff, high profile coaches are wary of taking up contracts with the Pakistan team.

“Yes it is a problem specially after the way Zaka Ashraf (former Chairman) forced Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and the other foreign coaches to go after the World Cup,” the source said.

“The way Misbah ul Haq, Waqar Younis, Muhammad Hafeez were removed are examples.”

He said another problem is most of the top coaches now held contracts with franchises in many leagues around the globe, including the Indian Premier League.

With PTI inputs