Former pacer and current national selector Aaqib Javed is expected to be named Pakistan’s permanent head coach for white-ball formats ahead of their tour of Zimbabwe for ODI and T20I series.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe between November 24 and December 5.
According to a reliable PTI source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed, who was initially hesitant to take up the coaching role, has now agreed after discussions with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
“The Pakistan squad will travel directly to Harare from Australia after their final T20I on Monday, and the new head coach will join them in Zimbabwe,” the source confirmed as quoted by PTI.
Javed brings a wealth of coaching experience, having worked with the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and recently serving as the bowling coach for Sri Lanka. He has also previously held roles as Pakistan’s bowling coach and head coach of the under-19 team.
Initially, the PCB had approached Australian Jason Gillespie, currently the Test team’s head coach, to take on the white-ball coaching role. However, Gillespie declined the offer, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Gillespie had been serving as interim coach for the white-ball series in Australia following the resignation of Gary Kirsten, who stepped down before the tour.
After the Zimbabwe series, Pakistan will head to South Africa for a white-ball series and two Tests before returning home in January.
