LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opened applications for a new head coach, marking the search for its seventh in just two years. The frequent changes have yielded little success for the national side in major international tournaments.
In addition to the head coach position, the PCB has also advertised the role of director of high performance centres on its website this week.
Aaqib Javed, the most recent interim head coach, stepped down after Pakistan’s underwhelming showing at the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. Aaqib had been handling dual responsibilities as coach and selector over the past six months, but failed to produce the desired results.
Pakistan’s performances in top-tier events—including the 2023 Asia Cup, 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy—have been disappointing, reflecting a broader decline in the national team’s competitiveness.
The coaching carousel coincided with rapid changes in PCB leadership, which has cycled through Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and current chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Each administration made sweeping changes to the coaching staff, selectors, and even team captaincy, disrupting any semblance of continuity.
Over the past two years, the following individuals have served as coaches: Abdul Rahman (interim), Mohammad Hafeez (team director), Azhar Mahmood (interim), Jason Gillespie (Test coach), Gary Kirsten (ODI coach), and Aaqib Javed (white- and red-ball coach). Now, the PCB is preparing to appoint a seventh coach.
However, recruiting a high-profile foreign coach may prove difficult. The PCB has a rocky history with overseas coaches, including controversial departures of Geoff Lawson (2007–08) and Mickey Arthur (2016–19). More recently, both Gillespie and Kirsten resigned within a year, further complicating the Board’s reputation in international coaching circles.
The instability has extended beyond the coaching staff. Captaincy changes have been frequent since 2023. While Babar Azam was retained under Sethi’s tenure, Zaka Ashraf replaced him following Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign, appointing Shaheen Shah Afridi (white-ball) and Shan Masood (Test captain).
Under Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB reversed course again, reinstating Babar as white-ball captain in early 2024. However, after another poor T20 World Cup performance, Babar stepped down and Mohammad Rizwan took over. Following yet another setback in the home Champions Trophy, Rizwan was replaced by Salman Ali Agha. Despite mediocre results, Shan Masood has retained the Test captaincy.
Selection committee changes have also been rampant. Instead of holding selectors accountable for poor results, many have been reassigned to new roles. Former pacer Wahab Riaz, initially appointed chief selector by Zaka, was later made part of a seven-member selection panel under Mohsin Naqvi. He was also handed a newly created post as senior team manager for the 2023 T20 World Cup. Though later removed from both positions, Wahab now serves as director of mentors, overseeing former players like Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shoaib Malik.
Similarly, Mohammad Yousuf, the former batting legend, has worn multiple hats without notable success. In 2024 alone, he served as a selector, U-19 head coach, and batting coach before stepping down from selection duties in September, while continuing his other roles.
Further reshuffling took place on October 11, when new selectors—Azhar Ali, Aaqib Javed, and Aleem Dar—were brought in. Azhar was later reassigned to head youth development. Aaqib, meanwhile, juggled his role as selector with interim head coaching responsibilities, first for the white-ball team and later for the Test side. Despite his efforts, he failed to improve team performance and is now reportedly seeking the position of director of high performance following Nadeem Khan’s resignation in March.
The PCB’s ongoing leadership and structural instability continue to hinder consistent progress for Pakistan cricket, both on and off the field.
