The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) pursuit of Shane Watson as the potential head coach for the men’s national team. With the team in need of a coach before New Zealand’s upcoming visit, Watson emerges as a top candidate, given his coaching experience with Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, the decision is complicated by Watson’s busy schedule and commitments in Sydney, raising questions about his availability. The PCB’s search for a suitable coach reflects its determination to enhance the team’s performance despite organizational challenges.
The PCB has reached out to an Australian all-rounder to take on the post of men’s national coach.
One of the PCB’s top candidates for the men’s national team head coaching position is former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.
PCB Seeks New Head Coach: Watson Emerges as Contender
The team needs a head coach before New Zealand’s April visit to Pakistan for a white-ball series. Currently, the team does not have a head coach. As seen when Mohammad Hafeez was appointed for tours of Australia and New Zealand in December and January, it is thought that the PCB is keen to find a permanent replacement for Hafeez.
Watson was named coach of the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL this season, and he is presently in Pakistan. The team, who are expected to make the playoffs for the first time in five years, has transformed under his direction.
While there are other candidates the PCB is interested in, including former West Indies captain Daren Sammy, ESPNcricinfo has learned that Watson has been contacted. If he receives an offer, it is not yet certain that he will take the position.
With his small family, he resides in Sydney and leads a hectic year-round routine. In addition to his duties as an Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council commentator for Star Sports, he is the coach of the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket. He formerly served as an assistant for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League for two seasons under Ricky Ponting.
It is understood that the PCB was impressed by both his contributions to the Gladiators and the interpersonal connections he was able to make. However, how long the PCB insists the head coach stay in Pakistan will determine the chances of the two sides agreeing. Upon Mickey Arthur’s board pursuit last year, he was provided a flexible role that enabled him to balance his duties as Director of Cricket with Pakistan, where Grant Bradburn was hired as the full-time head coach, with a coaching post with Derbyshire in the English county season.
Mohsin Naqvi, the recently appointed head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, stated earlier this week that the board was in communication with a few potential alternatives and that no cost would be wasted to secure the best trainers for Pakistan.
Sammy is thought to be in the running for that position as well because of his long-standing connection to Pakistani cricket. In addition to being the West Indies’ current limited-overs coach, Sammy has a strong reputation in Pakistan from his time as Peshawar Zalmi’s captain. He most famously chose to tour the nation for the 2017 PSL final, bringing all of his international teammates with him when the Quetta Gladiators’ foreign players chose to stay home. Currently, he is the head coach of Peshawar Zalmi, a team that made the playoffs this year as well.
The instability within the PCB’s management has influenced the selection of coaches for Pakistan. After a subpar performance in the World Cup, former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf opted to dismiss Bradburn and Arthur. Subsequently, Hafeez, who lacked coaching experience, was appointed to the role.
