PCB struggles to hire foreign coaches ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

As Pakistan gears up to host New Zealand for a five-match T20I series following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself in a quandary. With several cricket leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, set to kick off around the same time, the PCB is facing challenges in securing top-rated foreign coaches.

The clash in schedules has left many renowned coaches occupied with their commitments in other leagues across the globe. This predicament has posed a significant hurdle for the PCB in its pursuit of hiring high-caliber coaches for the national team.

PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is at the forefront of efforts to bolster Pakistan’s coaching staff. Following the overhaul of the coaching panel after the 2023 World Cup in India, which saw the departure of all foreign coaches including Director Mickey Arthur, the PCB is now looking to strike a balance between foreign expertise and local talent.

In the aftermath of Zaka Ashraf’s tenure, Mickey Arthur, along with Grant Bradburn and Andrew Puttick, were relieved of their duties. In April 2023, Arthur was reinstated as the Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, while Bradburn assumed the role of head coach for the national men’s side. Additionally, former South African cricketer Andrew Puttick was appointed as the batting coach.

As preparations intensify for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the USA and the West Indies in June, the PCB is keen on fortifying its coaching setup. The board aims to blend the expertise of foreign coaches with the understanding of local conditions possessed by Pakistani coaches.

The Pakistan men’s Future Tours Programme for 2024 includes crucial fixtures before the T20 World Cup. In April, New Zealand are slated to tour Pakistan for a series of five T20Is. Subsequently, in May, Pakistan are scheduled to visit the Netherlands for three T20Is, followed by engagements in Ireland and England, featuring two and four T20Is respectively.

As the PCB navigates through the challenges of scheduling and securing coaching staff, all eyes are on the board’s efforts to ensure Pakistan’s readiness for the upcoming cricketing endeavors.

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