PCB looking to appoint foreign coaches, support staff for T20 World Cup

Pakistan was not happy with their outing at the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2023, and one thing was certain after that – heads had to roll.

Players like Babar Azam also had to step down from leadership roles owing to their below-par performance at the tournament in India. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chair also had to step down after interventions from government officials and the International Cricket Council.

The new PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has no experience in cricket administration but looks set to turn the team’s fortunes with his latest approach. Naqvi aims to appoint foreign coaches and support officials ahead of Pakistan’s appearance at the T20 World Cup 2024.

What is the PCB Planning Ahead of the T20 World Cup?

Coaching personnel changes

An inside source claimed that new PCB chief Naqvi is looking to appoint foreign coaches and staff ahead of Pakistan’s participation at the T20 World Cup 2024. The insider revealed this at a recent interview with the comments:

“The new Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi is keen to look at the available coaching options for Pakistan and is more inclined to appoint foreign coaches and support staff,” the insider said.

Also, the well-informed insider also commented about the malaise Naqvi currently faces seeing the treatment meted out to former foreign coaches and support staff following Pakistan’s World Cup exit:

“Naqvi has already asked chief selector, Wahab Riaz to speak to some of the available options and short list candidates as he is aware foreign coaches might be reluctant to join the Pakistan team because of the way Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Andrew Puttick were removed from their positions after the World Cup and their contracts cut short.”

Uncertainty in coaching camps

The PCB relieved Moh’d Hafeez as the team’s director even after he was promised a 3-year contract initially. This action by the PCB allegedly angered several coaches in the Pakistan hierarchy and created an air of uncertainty concerning their jobs.

Other top coaches like Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul are not convinced about their future with the team seeing the exit of Hafeez who brough them into Pakistan’s coaching group.

Likely captain swap

There are rumours that Mohsin Naqvi is not pleased with Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy of the Pakistan team, and that he favours another player in the squad. Indications from the insider report also suggests that Shaheen could lose his captaincy before the T20 World Cup 2024 begins:

“Shaheen’s performance as captain in the Pakistan Super League is under scrutiny no doubt about that,”

The insider suggests that senior players are not happy with Shaheen as captain in secret, even though they never reveal their reservations in public:

“Babar privately feels betrayed by Shaheen as he and the fast bowler, Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have always been very close in the team.”

Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Full Squad

• Openers – Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (W-K)
• Middle-Order – Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmad, Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub
• Wicket-Keepers – Mohammad Rizwan & Mohammad Haris
• All-Rounders – Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf
• Spinners – Usama Mir
• Pacers – Shaheen Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Full Group Stage Schedule

Pakistan Cricket Team Full Confirmed Schedule 2024