In a bid to rejuvenate the national cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former all-rounder Yasir Arafat as the high-performance coach. This move comes as part of a series of staffing changes following Pakistan’s disappointing performances in recent tournaments.
Pakistan’s cricket team faced setbacks earlier, failing to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in September. Their woes continued as they crashed out of the World Cup in India, prompting significant changes within the team management. The PCB had already replaced team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn following the World Cup exit.
Arafat’s appointment marks another step in the PCB’s efforts to revamp the team. He will take over from Simon Helmot, who is currently coaching Pakistan in the ongoing Test series in Australia. Arafat’s role will extend to the upcoming five T20Is in New Zealand, scheduled for January 12-21.
While the duration of Arafat’s tenure has not been specified, it is expected that he will guide Pakistan through the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States. Arafat brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played three Tests, 11 ODIs, and 13 T20Is for Pakistan. He also had a successful career as a Twenty20 cricketer in England, where he later served as a bowling coach for teams like Sussex and Surrey. Additionally, he has contributed to the sport globally, including coaching stints in Australia‘s Big Bash League and with the Hong Kong national team.
The appointment of Yasir Arafat signals the PCB’s commitment to steering Pakistan cricket in a new direction. With his expertise and background, Arafat will be instrumental in shaping the team’s performance and strategy as they prepare for future challenges on the international stage.
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