Arthur set to return as Pakistan coach, says PCB chief

karachi: Pakistan are set to appoint experienced South African Mickey Arthur for a second stint as head coach, a top cricket board official said on Monday.

The 54-year-old will replace Saqlain Mushtaq, whose contract expires next month.

“I am in negotiations with Mickey personally and we have covered 90 percent of the issues,” Najam Sethi, chairman of the Pakistan cricket Board’s management commitee, said.

“Hopefully, very soon we may give you the news that Mickey will be joining us,” he told a press conference in Lahore.

Sethi said Arthur will have his own team of support staff.

“I think the issues will be solved in the next two to three days and Mickey will come with support staff,” added Sethi.

Under Arthur’s tenure as head coach between 2016 and 2019, Pakistan won the Champions Trophy and became number one in the Twenty20 international rankings.

But his contract was not renewed ater Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. Arthur is currently serving as head coach of Derbyshire in England on a three-year contract. He has vast experience, having also coached his native South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan cricket is going through a number of changes ater PCB chairman Ramiz Raja was removed last month. Raja was replaced by a 14-member commitee led by Sethi.

Former Pakistan bater Haroon Rashid on Monday has been appointed as the new chair of the men’s National Selection Commitee. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) added that other members of the panel led by Rashid will be announced in due course.

Rashid played 23 Tests and 12 ODIS from 1977 to 1983 and last held this position in 2015-16.

Most recently, he was the Convener of the Interim Selection Commitee ater having previously served in administrative and coaching roles with the age group and national sides.

Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand for five T20IS and as many ODIS from April 13 to May 7 at home. It will be followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka in July and three ODIS against Afghanistan in August. September will see them play in the 50-over Asia Cup, followed by ODI World Cup in India in October-november.