Cricket: Pakistan to add Shane McDermott to coaching staff ahead of T20 series against Bangladesh
McDermott appointed as Pakistan fielding coach
Pakistan cricket has been through the wringer in recent times, with the national team suffering early exits from the World Cup in 2023 before a dismal display at the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil last year, where they failed to get beyond the group stage.
However, the Shaheens gave their loyal fans something to cheer last month, when they returned from their three-match ODI series against Bangladesh with a whitewash victory, marking their first limited-over series triumph since December last year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has now made it their mission to return the national team to the glory days that saw them become world champions and one of the most feared teams around, which has resulted in plenty of behind-the-scenes moves being completed.
Ahead of a jam-packed summer schedule, the PCB are set to undergo a major leadership change, with Salman Agha expected to take up captaincy across all formats of the game, replacing Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has already been appointed as the Green Shirts’ new head coach, and the latest backroom shake-up sees Australian Shane McDermott set to become the team’s new fielding coach across all formats.
Mike Hesson, who is the side’s new white-ball head coach, is believed to have been instrumental in the PCB’s decision to bring in McDermott, who previously served on the coaching staff of Australia A, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The 44-year-old Aussie is believed to have already begun settling into life in his new role, though the official announcement of his appointment is only expected to be made ahead of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against the Tigers later this month.
PCB aim for longevity after frequent coaching turnover
The Pakistan Cricket Board has come under the microscope in recent years, with several pundits and former Pakistani players blaming the organisation for contributing heavily to the team’s poor performances and fall from grace in recent times.
In the last 10 months alone, the Shaheens have seen two high-profile head coaches come and go, with the first being former South African batter Gary Kirsten, who stepped down from his role with the team just six months after his appointment.
Jason Gillespie, a World Cup winner with Australia, was handed the reins after Kirsten’s departure, but he also resigned just months into his tenure, while also openly claiming that he was owed payment from the PCB for his time with the team.
With McDermott set to replace former fielding coach Mohammad Masroor and Mahmood leading the team, Pakistan will be keen to build on their morale-boosting victory last month when they return to take on the Tigers in the shortest format.
