Unveiling some more: Top of the line coaches aboard PSL ship

High-profile names such as Mickey Arthur added to growing list of attractions

KARACHI:

High-profile coach Mickey Arthur has put in his name for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), relocated to be played in the UAE in February 2016.

Arthur is one of the top names in modern coaching, along with New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming, South Africa’s Gary Kirsten and Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower.

The 47-year-old played 110 first-class matches in South Africa but never burst onto the international scene.



However, he has managed to make a name for himself as head coach of the South African team and formed a strong relationship with then skipper Graeme Smith as the duo turned South Africa into one the best teams across all formats.

He also went on to create history when he became the first foreign-born coach of the Australian national team but his time at the helm was not as successful as his stint with South Africa.

“Top international coaches from seven countries have signed up on the Pakistan Super League roster. Eric Simons, Darren Berry, and Mickey Arthur are the top international coaches,” tweeted the official PSL account.

PSL Governing Council officials also confirmed that they will release more names in the coming days as coaches and players continue to join the project.

So far, the likes of Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Kieron Pollard and Luke Wright have all been confirmed for the league but officials are working behind the scenes to rope in a few more big names.

Salman Sarwar Butt, who is the PSL project head, stated that the coaches will be divided into categories just like the players. However, their categorisation will not be on the same basis.

“There will be categories for the coaches as well but it won’t be like the players’ categories where they will have platinum, gold, etc. categories. We can’t share more information on the subject at the moment though as the things are still in process,” Butt told The Express Tribune.

Domestic coaches who have done well will also be included in the T20 league but a final decision regarding the roles of local coaches is yet to be made.

The official added that the coaches will benefit from the experience just like the players. “PSL is definitely an opportunity for our domestic coaches as well to learn new things,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PCB is also likely to make a formal announcement regarding the relocation of the inaugural edition from Qatar to the UAE on Thursday.

The PSL was to initially be played from February 4 to February 24 in Doha, Qatar. However, it has been learnt that that the PSL will be played in Dubai and Sharjah now, while the dates have been reviewed as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.

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