ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur reached Islamabad on Tuesday to spend time with the national men’s side ahead of his formal appointment as the team’s consultant director.
Arthur will stay with the Green Shirts, who are currently engaged in five-game T20 series against New Zealand, till April 20 before departing England, where he serves as head coach of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
During his stay, the former head coach will meet the national team in Islamabad and discuss plans with captain Babar Azam and other players.
Pakistan will play the last two T20Is against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi while addressing a press conference last month hinted at the possible return of Arthur, saying the decision regarding his appointment would be made soon.
“If there was any sort of compulsion to take Mickey on board then we would have done that already. It is getting delayed because I’m listening to your voices and conveying it to Mickey that our media is raising questions and you should answer them,” Sethi had told the journalists.
“How will you do it? How many times will you come here? How will you manage long distances? Who will be the head coach? Is he competent enough, for you’re nominating to be the head coach? Can’t we find a better option? All these discussions are underway and are in the final stages,” he added.
“So, the thing is that the decision will be made soon. Mickey and I are in the final stages just like I said last time. I’m not getting answers to my questions, similar to what you are asking me.
“So, he’s answering and we’re analyzing the situation. So, let’s see,” Sethi concluded.
It is worth mentioning that Arthur coached the national men’s side between 2016 and 2019. During his tenure, Pakistan won their last major ICC title – Champions Trophy 2017 – and also rose to the top spot in the T20I rankings.
The South African coach was then removed from the position following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup 2019.
READ: UK climate activists arrested after disrupting World Snooker Championship
