Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has expressed his surprise over the recent reports suggesting that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hiring Mickey Arthur as an online coach.
PCB are currently busy finding a new head coach in order to replace outgoing Saqlain Mushtaq. The Pakistan board has been in contact with Mickey Arthur for quite some time now. Earlier reports suggested that the former South Africa and Australia coach had declined the offer due to other commitments.
However, the latest turn of events has suggested that PCB is still keen to rope in Mickey Arthur. And to make sure that the South African gets on board, they have reportedly asked him to be an ‘online coach’ which is definitely the first of its kind in cricket.
The report has attracted wide range of reactions from the cricket fraternity and Shahid Afridi has also given his take on it. The former cricketer, who recently finished his stint as Pakistan’s interim chief selector, expressed his surprise over the turn of events. He also questioned PCB’s decision to ignore domestic coaches in order to hire an overseas coach.
“Well, even I don’t know what type of coaching will happen or what the plan is. The concept of online coaching by a foreign coach for the national team is beyond comprehension,” Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“Why only foreign coaches? Pakistan do have good coaches here. I know PCB also takes into consideration where the person is presently involved in politics. But all those should be kept aside in cricket so that we get a person who can take the tough calls which eventually makes a good team,” Shahid Afridi added.
Najam Sethi confirms Mickey Arthur’s return:
Meanwhile, PCB chief Najam Sethi has already confirmed that Mickey Arthur will be making a comeback as Pakistan’s coach once again.
“I want to make it clear I am in direct negotiations with Mickey and I think 90 percent of the discussions. We have covered many areas and very soon we may give you good news. If Mickey comes he will be making his own team and we will only find how much we need to pay them and this matter will be resolved in 2-3 days,” Sethi had told a news conference.
Arthur was head coach of the Pakistan side between 2016 and 2019 and oversaw a good phase in white-ball cricket. In 2017, he coached Pakistan to their first-ever Champions Trophy title. He also guided the team to the number one ranking in T20Is.