Aaqib Javed’s stint as the Pakistan cricket team’s interim head coach will end on February 27. The former fast bowler also happens to be part of the selection committee and assumed the role of white-ball coach in October last year after Gary Kirsten chose to step down. In December, Jason Gillespie, who was Pakistan’s Test coach, also left, and Aaqib took over his role as well.
PCB unhappy with Pakistan’s Champions Trophy performance
He won’t be the head coach for long now, though. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) isn’t pleased with the performance and will take action. One must remember it was the first ICC event in Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup. As the reigning champions and hosts, the Men in Green were one of the favourites to win. But in less than a week after the tournament started, they were knocked out.
“But, looking at the larger picture, which is the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy and to ensure it brings positive publicity for Pakistan cricket as a host nation, it has been decided to say nothing on the team’s performance for now. As it is, even the board leadership realises there is no excuse or defence that can be given for the team’s abject failure in the event,” a PCB source told PTI.
PCB to sack Aaqib Javed, bring in new coach for Pakistan Team
The PCB has decided they won’t renew Aaqib’s contract, which ends on February 27. The same date as Pakistan’s last group-stage match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy. The PCB will now hunt for a new coach. Yesterday, we learnt a former Pakistani player will be roped in as the new head coach and will travel with the team for the white-ball tour of New Zealand, which runs from March 16 to April 5 (three ODIs and five T20Is).
“Pakistan has to go to New Zealand for a white ball series from 15th March, and Aaqib Javed’s contract as interim head coach will end on 27th February, when Pakistan plays its final group match against Bangladesh. So, definitely, the board will have to name a head coach for the NZ tour, but that appointment could also be of an interim nature, someone from the national high-performance centre since the PCB has not started the process of appointing a permanent head coach,” the source added.
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