Australia’s Steve Rixon expected to be appointed as fielding coach
KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket authorities have decided to hire the services of former Test cricketers Mushtaq Ahmed and Azhar Mahmood for the challenging tour of England which begins later this month.
Looking for ways and means to counter rampaging England in their own backyard this summer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to add the duo of Mushtaq and Azhar to the staff of head coach Mickey Arthur.
Mushtaq, the former Test leggie who is currently working as head coach of the elite National Cricket Academy in Lahore, has been included in the touring party as assistant coach for the four-Test series which will get underway at Lord’s from July 14.
Mushtaq will be replaced by former allrounder Azhar Mahmood for the subsequent one-day and T20 series on the tour, while Australian Steve Rixon is likely to play the role of fielding coach. The appointments, however, are yet to be announced formally.
Pakistan will tour England for four Tests in July and August this year, followed by five ODIs and a solitary T20 game.
The PCB had already extended the contracts of batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden for the England tour, after they had already completed their two year terms. Luden had been working as trainer-cum-fielding coach, but the PCB decided to hand him the specialist role of fitness trainer and get in Rixon as fielding coach on the advice of the new head coach Mickey Arthur.
Mushtaq had been a part of the Pakistan coaching staff and team management in various capacities since 2014. His coaching credentials are heavy on experience in England; he has worked with England as a spin-bowling consultant. He is presently working as head coach at the NCA and will be released from those duties for the Test series. Mahmood has a contract with English county Surrey as a player. Both the appointments are temporary and expected to be reviewed after the England tour.
Rixon, a former wicketkeeper, had been part of Arthur’s coaching staff in Australia between 2011 and January 2014. During his tenure with Australia, he had been employed as fielding coach, spin-bowling coach and assistant coach at various times.