- PCB approached Shane Watson for the post of head coach.
- The board is also looking for other options.
- Men's team has currently no head coach assigned.
Currently, the team is without a head coach, and the PCB aims to fill the position before New Zealand’s white-ball series in Pakistan in April. The PCB is keen on appointing a permanent head coach, unlike the temporary appointment of Mohammad Hafeez for the tours of Australia and New Zealand in December and January.
Watson, who is presently in Pakistan, was named the coach of the Quetta Gladiators in this year’s PSL. Under his guidance, the franchise is on track to reach the playoffs for the first time in five years.
While Watson is a key prospect, the PCB is also considering other candidates, including former West Indies captain Daren Sammy. ESPNcricinfo reports that Watson has been approached, but it’s not certain if he will accept the position if offered.
Watson, who resides in Sydney with his family, has a packed schedule throughout the year. He coaches the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket and has commentary duties with Star Sports for ICC events and the Indian Premier League. He has also served as an assistant to Ricky Ponting for two seasons with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
The PCB is reportedly impressed with Watson’s contributions to the Gladiators and his ability to build strong interpersonal relationships. However, the possibility of an agreement will depend on the PCB’s requirement for the head coach’s time commitment in Pakistan. When Mickey Arthur was courted by the board last year, he was offered a flexible role that allowed him to balance coaching Derbyshire in the English county season and his position as Director of Cricket with Pakistan, with Grant Bradburn being appointed the full-time head coach.
Mohsin Naqvi, the newly appointed PCB chairman, stated earlier this week that the board is exploring “a few different options” and is committed to hiring the best coaches for Pakistan, regardless of cost.
Sammy is also considered a strong contender due to his longstanding relationship with Pakistan cricket. Sammy, the current limited-overs coach for West Indies, has gained immense popularity in Pakistan since his tenure as captain of Peshawar Zalmi. He notably decided to tour the country for the 2017 PSL final, leading all overseas players from his team to follow suit when Quetta Gladiators’ overseas players chose not to. He is currently the head coach of Peshawar Zalmi, who have also qualified for the playoffs this season.
The appointment of coaches in Pakistan has been complicated by the administrative instability within the PCB. Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf decided to dismiss Arthur and Bradburn following a lackluster World Cup performance, instead sending Hafeez to lead the tours to Australia and New Zealand despite his lack of coaching experience. Arthur and Bradburn were only appointed during the brief tenure of Ashraf’s predecessor, Najam Sethi.
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