Head coach Grant Bradburn, team director Mickey Arthur, and batting coach Andrew Puttick are expected to be relieved of their duties, as per information from Samaa TV, a well-known Pakistani news channel. The decision is anticipated to be announced after an emergency meeting between PCB chief Zaka Ashraf and former captain Younis Khan on Tuesday.
The move comes in the wake of Pakistan’s failure to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals, losing five out of nine league games and finishing fifth in the points table with 8 points. This marks the second consecutive ODI World Cup where Pakistan has fallen short of progressing beyond the group stages. Their struggles extend to the 2015 World Cup in Australia, where they were halted in the quarter-finals.
Once the No.1-ranked ODI team, Pakistan’s recent shortcomings also include a failure to reach the finals of the Asia Cup. These disappointing outcomes in major tournaments are believed to be the driving force behind the impending changes within the Pakistan cricket setup.
The latest development follows the resignation of Pakistan’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, a day earlier. Morkel, along with Arthur, Bradburn, and Puttick, joined Pakistan’s coaching staff earlier this year as part of a reshuffle. While Arthur primarily supported the team online due to his county contract, Morkel and others were actively involved with the team since June.
The restructuring of the coaching staff signals a broader effort by Pakistan Cricket Board to address the challenges and setbacks faced by the national team, aiming for a revamped and more successful future.