Reports | PCB to part ways with coach Mickey Arthur

08/07/2019

Pakistan cricket's coaching department is set for an overhaul after the PCB announced on Wednesday that the contracts of Mickey Arthur, Azhar Mahmood, Grant Flower and Grant Luden will not be renewed. The announcement follows a unanimous decision at the committee meeting on Friday.

On Friday, August 2, the cricket committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board met to review the team’s performance at the recently concluded World Cup, and develop recommendations going forward. The committee – headed by PCB Managing Director Wasim Khan, with Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Urooj Mumtaz as the other members – were unanimous in the recommendations for a change in the coaching personnel. The decisions were forwarded and discussed with the PCB Chairman, Ehsan Mani.

"I am thankful to the PCB Cricket Committee for submitting their recommendations following an exhaustive and detailed review process. The committee comprised of individuals who possess tremendous acumen, experience and knowledge. The unanimous recommendation of the committee was that it was time for new leadership and a fresh approach. I am happy to accept their strong recommendations," Mani was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.

As such, the contracts of the team’s head coach, batting and bowling coach, and trainer will not be renewed.

"On behalf of the PCB, I want to sincerely thank Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower, Grant Luden and Azhar Mahmood for their hard work and unwavering commitment during their tenures with the national men's team. We wish them every success in their future endeavors. The PCB remains committed to its fans and followers and we will do our utmost to ensure that we make decisions that continue to move Pakistan cricket forward in all formats," Mani added.

Arthur was appointed as head coach after Waqar Younis stepped down from the role following Pakistan’s sub-par performance at the 2016 World T20. Flower had already been part of the team two years prior to Arthur, while Mahmood was included from November 2016.

Under Arthur, Pakistan won the Champions Trophy title in 2016, upsetting the favorites – and bitter rivals – India in the final. The team also moved up to the numero uno spot in T20Is under his guidance. However, Pakistan's failure to reach the semi-final stage of the 2019 World Cup is understood to have influenced the committee’s recommendations.

The PCB also announced that it will invite applications from interested candidates for all four positions, when the contracts end later this month.