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Pakistan‘s quest for a foreign coach has encountered setbacks as former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson and former West Indian captain Darren Sammy have withdrawn from contention for the position of head coach of the national team.
Sammy declined approaches from the PCB, citing his existing contract with the West Indies board as the head coach of the WI white-ball teams. Meanwhile, Watson returned home on Saturday night after turning down the offer from the Pakistan board.
According to a knowledgeable source familiar with the situation, senior PCB officials engaged in extensive discussions with Watson in Karachi during the Pakistan Super League matches, offering him the position of head coach.
“Watson had initially shown interest and kept certain financial and other conditions to accept the offer,” the source said.
“But after the board more or less accepted Watson’s financial demands the Australian was not happy that details of the proposed package were leaked out in the Pakistan media and social media.”
The Australian graciously declined the offer, citing prior commitments as a commentator in the IPL and a major USA league, as well as a desire to dedicate more time to his young family in Sydney.
Reportedly, the PCB had offered Watson an annual fee of USD 2 million.
The PCB is now anticipated to pursue an interim arrangement for the national team to oversee the training camp in Kakul from March 25 to April 8, leading up to the home five-match T20 series against New Zealand starting on April 14 in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
“A team of local coaches as an interim arrangement for the camp and NZ series is the only available option for the PCB now and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be required to make a call after the PSL final on 18th March,” the source said.
Naqvi has expressed a strong interest in hiring foreign coaches for the national team on a long-term basis, encompassing the World T20 Cup in the West Indies and USA, as well as the Champions Trophy early next year in Pakistan.
The source indicated that former Pakistan captains, including Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Moin Khan, are also being considered for the interim period.
(With PTI inputs)
Sammy declined approaches from the PCB, citing his existing contract with the West Indies board as the head coach of the WI white-ball teams. Meanwhile, Watson returned home on Saturday night after turning down the offer from the Pakistan board.
According to a knowledgeable source familiar with the situation, senior PCB officials engaged in extensive discussions with Watson in Karachi during the Pakistan Super League matches, offering him the position of head coach.
“Watson had initially shown interest and kept certain financial and other conditions to accept the offer,” the source said.
“But after the board more or less accepted Watson’s financial demands the Australian was not happy that details of the proposed package were leaked out in the Pakistan media and social media.”
The Australian graciously declined the offer, citing prior commitments as a commentator in the IPL and a major USA league, as well as a desire to dedicate more time to his young family in Sydney.
Reportedly, the PCB had offered Watson an annual fee of USD 2 million.
The PCB is now anticipated to pursue an interim arrangement for the national team to oversee the training camp in Kakul from March 25 to April 8, leading up to the home five-match T20 series against New Zealand starting on April 14 in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
“A team of local coaches as an interim arrangement for the camp and NZ series is the only available option for the PCB now and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be required to make a call after the PSL final on 18th March,” the source said.
Naqvi has expressed a strong interest in hiring foreign coaches for the national team on a long-term basis, encompassing the World T20 Cup in the West Indies and USA, as well as the Champions Trophy early next year in Pakistan.
The source indicated that former Pakistan captains, including Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Moin Khan, are also being considered for the interim period.
(With PTI inputs)
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