ISLAMABAD: In the wake of Gary Kirsten’s departure as head coach, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is shifting its focus to appointing a local coach for the national white-ball team. Aaqib Javed is the prominent name for this role.
Sources indicate that the PCB has no intention of hiring another foreign coach and is currently considering prominent candidates, including Saqlain Mushtaq and Aaqib Javed.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who serves as a mentor with the PCB, is a strong contender for the role, thanks to his extensive experience and past successes with the Pakistan white-ball team. His previous position as Director at the PCB’s High Performance Center for International Player Development adds to his credentials. Moreover, Saqlain is likely to benefit from the support of team captain Mohammad Rizwan, whose endorsement could be pivotal in securing his appointment.
On the other hand, Aaqib Javed has also expressed a keen interest in the head coach position, seeking full authority over the team. While he has previously turned down offers for the role of bowling coach, Aaqib’s impressive coaching background—including his work with the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars and the Sri Lankan national team—makes him a formidable candidate. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will ultimately make the decision regarding the permanent head coach after consulting with key stakeholders. In the interim, for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, the PCB has appointed red-ball team head coach Jason Gillespie to lead the squad temporarily. However, the appointment of a head coach for the subsequent tour of Zimbabwe remains to be finalized
