- Sethi says that 90 percent of Arthur’s problems are solved.
- Sethi appointed Rashid as Chief Selector.
- He will meet ACC officials in Bahrain next month.
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi said on Monday that Mickey Arthur is set to return as Pakistan’s head coach.
According to media reports, former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has decided not to extend his coaching contract with the Cricket Board and is keen to bring back Sethi Arthur.
“I am personally in talks with Mickey and we have resolved 90 per cent of the issues,” Sethi told a news conference, where he also revealed that he had replaced former all-rounder Shahid Afridi with Test cricketer Haroon Rashid has been appointed as the new chief selector. who held this position on an interim basis.
“Hopefully, we’ll share the news very soon that Mikey will be joining us and I’d like him to build his coaching staff once he’s here.”
Former South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka coach Arthur was in charge of the Pakistan team between 2016 and 2019 when they won the 2017 Champions Trophy and became the world’s top-ranked T20 team.
The Johannesburg-born 54-year-old currently has a long-term contract with Derbyshire.
ACC meeting
During the presser, he further informed the media that he will attend the next meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Bahrain and present Pakistan’s position on hosting the Asia Cup later this year.
“Finally we have a date to meet the ACC officials. I will attend the ACC meeting in Bahrain on February 4. I am not sure about my position at the moment. I am looking at the situation,” he said. I will decide in the meeting. said.
Sethi was expected to meet ACC officials during his recent visit to Dubai to attend the opening ceremony of the India-backed International League T20 (ILT20) on January 13. Edge
Former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja had said that if Pakistan withdraws from the Asia Cup, he will not go to India. The statement comes after ACC president and BCCI secretary general Jay Shah claimed last year that India had already decided not to participate in the Asian event in Pakistan. Shah’s statement has not been officially confirmed by BCCI or ACC.
Pakistan is hosting the Asia Cup for the first time after almost 14 years. The event will be based on the 50-over format in keeping with the ICC World Cup 2023 which is scheduled to be held in India later this year.
‘Cases’ are on hold.
Najam Sethi remarked that the cases of two to three cricketers including Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz are on hold and they all know why their cases are on hold.
He said that first they need to resolve all their outstanding issues.
Najam Sethi further said that the rehabilitation plan has stopped because the team does not need it. “We don’t need to invest additional lakhs of rupees in facilities that are already there,” he added.
A three-member team has also been formed regarding the pitches. A senior PCB official said that there will be a need for consultation regarding separate teams.