Shane Watson has allegedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) $2 million (Rs 16.5 crore) offer to take up the role of Pakistan men’s cricket team head coach. The former Australian cricketer is currently heading the Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 season.
After seeing her success with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and taking the Gladiators to the playoffs in the PSL, the PCB offered Watson the role of Pakistan’s head coach. The Aussie coach had initially considered their offer but after his conversations with the PCB were leaked, a disgruntled Watson decided to reject the offer and continue to work in the IPL as a commentator.
“Watson (Shane) 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,” a PCB source told PTI.
However, the ‘leaked’ conversations aren’t the only reason behind Shane Watson rejecting PCB’s lofty offer. The former Australian cricketer already has an IPL commentary gig in the upcoming 2024 season and has prior coaching commitments in Major League Cricket (MLC) as well.
He also decided that he’d need to prioritize his family in Sydney. With two prior franchise commitments already, Watson decided that he’d need to balance work and family and rejected PCB’s head coach opportunity.