Former South African cricketer and coach for PSL's Karachi Kings, Mickey Arthur has been appointed as Pakistan cricket team's head coach. The post of head coach was left vacant after Waqar Younis resigned following Pakistan's dismal World Twenty20 performance in India, where they triumphed in only one of four matches before crashing out. The PCB wanted to fill the post before Pakistan's all-important tour of England beginning in July, where they play four Tests, one Twenty20 and five one-day internationals.
On Friday, the PCB announced Mickey Arthur as Head Coach Pakistan National Cricket Team. Following Waqar's resignation as Head Coach last month, the PCB embarked upon a transparent process of inviting applications from potential candidates for the position of Head Coach. A panel was appointed comprising Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, and Faisal Mirza to make recommendations to the PCB. The panel received and reviewed applications forwarded four recommendations to the PCB for it to make a final decision.
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. The modalities vis-à-vis his contract are being finalized. It is expected that Mickey Arthur will be able to join the PCB toward the end of this month.
Mickey in his career played 110 first class games as a batsman in South Africa. As coach, Mickey led the South African national team to world number one rankings across all formats winning 13 consecutive ODIs, equalling Australia's world record. Mickey also served on the ICC Cricket Committee 2008 - 2010. He developed and led the implementation of a national high performance coaching framework for South Africa, leading to the rise of internationally successful talent.
His head coaching positions include Karachi Kings, 2016, Dhaka Gladiators, 2015, Jamaica Tallawahs, 2014, Australian National Cricket Team, 2011 - 2013 and South African National Cricket Team, 2005 - 2010. Pakistan has had four foreign coaches in the past: Richard Pybus (two tenures in 1999 and 2002-03), Bob Woolmer (2004-07), Geoff Lawson (2007-2008) and Dav Whatmore (2012-14). The PCB's budget for the head coach salary is reportedly $16,000 to $20,000 per month - much less than similar positions elsewhere. It may be noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a two-member committee comprising former skippers Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja to conduct the search for a new coach.