Mickey Arthur appointed Pakistan cricket team head coach

Arthur will be Pakistan’s fifth foreign coach following Richard Pybus (twice in 1999 and 2002-03), Bob Woolmer (2004-07), Geoff Lawson (2007-08) and Dav Whatmore (2012-14).

The PCB said a panel was appointed comprising Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, and Faisal Mirza to make recommendations to the PCB for coach’s appointment.

Waqar Younis had resigned as head coach last month after team’s power showing the T20 World Cup in India.

Waqar’s tenure was marred by his differences with Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi and indisciplined players Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.

Read: Waqar bids farewell to Pakistan team in emotional tweets

Following detailed consultations on this matter at the last Board Of Governors’ meeting and further telephone consultations by the PCB Chairman with BOG members, discussions with Mickey Arthur were initiated and he has confirmed his acceptance of the post of Head Coach of the Pakistan National Cricket team.

According to PCB, the modalities vis-à-vis his contract are being finalized. It is expected that Mickey Arthur will be able to join the PCB by the end of May.

Mickey Arthur picturec while addressing a presser as headcoach of Karachi Kings team in PSL.

Arthur has played 110 first class games as a batsman in South Africa. He has coached the following teams in his coaching career: Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League 2016, Dhaka Gladiators 2015, Jamaica Tallawahs 2014, Australian national cricket team, 2011 – 2013 and South African cricket team, 2005 – 2010.

‘Controversy around Mickey Arthur’

AFP adds: Arthur, who turns 48 later this month, successfully coached his native South Africa from 2005-2010 before migrating to Australia, where he remained coach of the national team for 19 months.

But he found his job in danger after Australia lost a Test series in India 4-0 and followed it up with a poor showing at the Champions Trophy in England.

He was unceremoniously sacked two weeks before the Ashes series started in England in June 2013, with two years to run on his contract, and replaced by Darren Lehmann.

He later sued Cricket Australia for up to Aus$4 million (US3.7 million), claiming there had been a deliberate campaign against him, before reaching a confidential agreement with the governing body.