The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that Mickey Arthur had been appointed as the men’s team director, a significant role that will see him play a major part in the preparations for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year. Arthur, 54, was previously head coach of the Pakistan team from 2016 to 2019, and will be involved in designing, formulating, and overseeing strategies for the men’s team in his new position.
The PCB stated that Arthur will be a part of the coaching staff for the World Cup, as well as the away tour to Australia and home series against the West Indies. He will also be present for Pakistan’s matches in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Arthur coached Pakistan to No.1 ranking in Tests and T20Is, and led the side to glory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where they upset India in the final. He had expressed his interest in rejoining the Pakistan cricket team, saying that he had kept track of the players and their performances since moving on.
Arthur had declined the full-time coaching assignment offered to him by Najam Sethi, the PCB chairperson, last January, but accepted the role of team director and consultant. Arthur need not be physically present for all Pakistan’s matches, but Sethi said he would be responsible for grooming future stars to improve the national team’s bench strength.
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The PCB has yet to appoint full-time coaching staff, after getting rid of Saqlain Mushtaq, who was head coach between 2021 and 2023. Currently, an interim team led by Grant Bradburn, a former New Zealand international, is overseeing the limited-overs series against New Zealand on home turf.
In addition to Pakistan and his native South Africa, Arthur has also coached Australia and Sri Lanka. He is currently in charge at Derbyshire in the English County Championship. But since these assignments, in the English autumn and winter, will not clash with his county commitments, he takes the Pakistan job with Derbyshire’s approval.
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