PCB to move away from foreign coaches

Board set to announce new white-ball head coach for Zimbabwe, SA tours

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to take a significant step in its coaching strategy by moving away from foreign head coaches following a series of tense relations and bitter experiences with former head coach Gary Kirsten.

Sources within the PCB have revealed that clear indications are emerging that Jason Gillespie's contract as the Test team's head coach will be terminated early, as the board looks to appoint a Pakistan head coach for all formats of the national team.

According to responsible sources, the way Kirsten handled his tenure with the PCB has been a wake-up call for the cricket authorities. The friction and dissatisfaction during his time have convinced the board to reassess its approach towards foreign coaching appointments.

The decision to appoint a local head coach is expected to be made during Pakistan's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. There is also a proposal under consideration to have foreign coaches focus on specialized roles, such as batting, bowling, and fielding, while the Pakistan head coach will oversee all formats.

It has been reported that foreign coaches are often more demanding and may resort to using coercive tactics to influence PCB officials. The board has grown frustrated with these experiences and is now focusing on prioritizing local coaching leadership. Jason Gillespie has also attempted to impose certain conditions on his role, but the PCB has remained firm, reminding him that his appointment was meant to be temporary and advising him to adhere to the code of conduct.

Further updates indicate that the PCB will announce the new white-ball head coach for the Zimbabwe and South Africa tours in the coming days. While Pakistan's coaching panel in the past has included the likes of Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Mohammad Hafeez, the PCB has historically favored foreign coaches for the top roles.