The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) hunt for a new foreign coach for their national team has hit a roadblock. Reportedly, both Shane Watson and Darren Sammy have opted out of the running for the Pakistan's head coach position.
Darren Sammy, the former West Indian captain, declined the PCB's approach due to his existing commitment as head coach of the West Indies white-ball teams.
Meanwhile, former Australia's star all-rounder Shane Watson also decided to turn down the offer. According to reliable sources, the PCB had held in-depth discussions with Watson in Karachi during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, expressing their interest in him as head coach. However, Watson ultimately chose to return home on Saturday (March 16) night after rejecting the PCB's proposal.
Watson, Sammy not interested to become Pakistan's head coach
"Watson had initially shown interest and kept certain financial and other conditions to accept the offer. 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 source said.
Despite a reported lucrative offer of $2 million USD annually, Australian all-rounder Shane Watson politely declined the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) proposal to become their new head coach.
Watson cited prior commitments as a commentator in both the IPL and a major USA league as reasons for his decision. Additionally, he expressed a desire to dedicate more time to his young family in Sydney.
This setback forces the PCB to explore interim solutions. They plan to oversee the upcoming national team training camp in Kakul (March 25th - April 8th) with a temporary coach before the five-match T20 series against New Zealand starting on April 14th 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 further added.
Pakistan's quest for head coach role continues
Despite the recent setbacks, the PCB remains committed to finding a long-term solution for their head coach position. PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, as quoted by sources close to the board, emphasises the importance of securing a foreign coach who can guide the team through major tournaments like the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, as well as the Champions Trophy scheduled for early next year in Pakistan. While the search for a foreign coach continues, the PCB is exploring interim options for the immediate future. Former Pakistani greats Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Moin Khan are reportedly under consideration to oversee the national team training camp and potentially the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. This temporary arrangement would allow the PCB more time to secure a foreign coach for the long haul.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
WATCH: Virat Kohli returns to India for upcoming IPL, set to join RCB training camp in Bengaluru soon; check details
Irfan Pathan questions Pat Cummins' T20 skills, terms SRH's move a 'Punt', says 'his IPL numbers are not...'
