Former cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman has questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s process for appointing an assistant coach for the men’s national team.
Atiq urged PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to avoid appointing someone on “recommendations”. He also criticised the criteria of selection.
“PCB have advertised 1st time for assistant coach role but looking for a Level 2 coach. Even clubs in the UK advertise for Level 3 coaches as their minimum requirement. @MohsinnaqviC42 sahab please don’t sign an assistant on recommendations,” Atiq posted on X, which was formerly known as Twitter.
“In Pakistan, no one recommend a deserving person. We need a high qualified and experienced assistant who is an excellent communicator too,” he added.
It must be noted that former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has emerged as a strong contender for the role of assistant coach of the Pakistan men’s national team.
Mahmood is currently the bowling coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Islamabad United. He has also served in the same role for the national side in the past.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had issued an advertisement on Saturday for the role of assistant coach, who will provide support to the red-ball and white-ball coach. The applicants for the role must possess a minimum of Level 2 coaching accreditation and three years of experience with an international team, franchise or a domestic side.
Interested candidates may apply by latest 5pm on April 20, according to the PCB's advertisement.
Meanwhile, former South African batter Gary Kirsten and ex-Australian pacer Jason Gillespie have been finalised by the PCB for the role of white-ball and red-ball head coach, respectively, for the national men’s side, Geo News reported on Saturday citing sources.
The decision will be announced after all the formalities have been completed as the PCB has advertised the posts on its website and sought applications till April 15, sources added.
It must be noted Pakistan's previous coaching staff, which included Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Andrew Puttick, who were transferred to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, left their respective positions in January this year after a change in their portfolios in November 2023.
In April 2023, Arthur was named Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team while Bradburn was roped in as head coach. Former South Africa cricketer Puttick worked as batting coach since April 2023.
The decision was taken amicably between all the parties involved, according to PCB.