Aperson who holds the hand of a raw but talented youngster and takes him to the top of his profession is called a teacher or a coach. It applies to all fields and when we think about cricket, it is evident that the role of a good coach is absolutely unquestionable.

With command on teaching, a coach should also be lucky enough to have great players to win matches. A highly qualified coach could lose his job because of a lack of player talent, luck, or other circumstances beyond his control.

A good coach knows how to handle each and every player individually, with great knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses.

At the same time, he knows how to treat them all together as a team and drive them to success.

These days coaching has become a professional job with handsome earnings and fame, but sometimes it is a very frustrating job.

Coaching is a highly visible position, continually exposed to the public’s scrutiny. When it comes to judging performance, everyone seems to be an expert.

Coaching the Pakistan cricket team is an honour but it’s a unique challenge as well.

Pakistan is known for producing immensely talented cricketers who can turn the game around with their skill. However, this talent often comes with a level of unpredictability, both on and off the field. Managing and harnessing this talent while maintaining consistency can be a challenge for coaches.

The Pakistan cricket team comprises players from diverse backgrounds and regions, each with its own cultural nuances and languages. Foreign coaches face challenges in communication and understanding cultural differences.

Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Pakistanis, and the expectations placed on the national team are incredibly high.

Pakistan cricket has often been marred by political and administrative interference, which create instability and distractions within the team. Coaches find themselves navigating through external pressures and influences while trying to focus on the game.

Coaches are under immense pressure to deliver consistent results, often facing scrutiny and criticism from fans and media alike, especially during periods of poor performance.

Overall, coaching the Pakistan cricket team requires not only technical expertise but also strong leadership skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to navigate through various challenges with resilience and determination.

Mickey Arthur, a seasoned South African coach, took the helm of the Pakistan cricket team in 2016. Under his guidance, Pakistan clinched the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating arch-rivals India in a thrilling final. Arthur’s tenure was marked by a focus on discipline, fitness, and strategic planning. His emphasis on player development and mental toughness played a significant role in Pakistan’s resurgence in limited-overs cricket.

Regarded as one of the most innovative minds in cricket coaching, Bob Woolmer left an indelible mark during his stint with the Pakistan team from 2004 to 2007. Woolmer’s analytical approach revolutionised Pakistan’s cricketing tactics, emphasising data analysis, and modern training methods.

His tragic demise during the 2007 Cricket World Cup was a profound loss for the cricketing world, but his legacy continues to inspire coaches and players alike.

Pybus coached the Pakistan cricket team twice. Under his coaching and influential leadership of Wasim Akram, Pakistan reached the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 in England.

The legendary fast bowler, Waqar Younis, transitioned seamlessly into coaching, serving as Pakistan’s head coach in multiple stints. Renowned for his lethal yorkers and astute cricketing acumen, Waqar instilled a sense of aggression and discipline in the Pakistan bowling attack. His tenure witnessed several memorable victories, including series wins against formidable opponents like Australia and England.

A cricketing maestro in his own right, Javed Miandad’s coaching stint with the Pakistan team showcased his strategic brilliance and deep understanding of the game. His ability to inspire and mentor players left an indelible mark on Pakistan cricket.

After appointing two different captains for red and white ball games, now according to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to appoint Gary Kirsten from South Africa as the white-ball coach, while former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie will take on the role of the red-ball coach for the Green Shirts.

Gary Kirsten has a vast experience of international coaching. During his tenure from 2008 to 2011, India achieved significant successes, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

In an interview in 2024, Kirsten said that coaching is about management, strategy, building a team culture among others.

Gillespie has the experience of coaching South Australia and Adelaide Strikers.

He took over as head coach of Strikers ahead of the 2015-16 BBL season. They won the title in 2017-18 - their only win so far - and have made the playoffs four more times. He returned to South Australia full-time ahead of the 2020-21 summer, taking the reins of the Redbacks.

Whether it’s Kirsten or Gillespie, the Pakistan team needs a coach who can understand the problems of our players, especially batsmen who are not quick learners.

The first challenge for the new coach will be to unite the players. Our players lack both temperament and technique. They are talented but due to lack of proper guidance they are inconsistent and are prone to throwing away their wickets in crunch situations. To curb this weakness, an aggressive and smart coach is needed. Most of Pakistan’s defeats occur because of the failures of the batsmen.

These coaching positions became vacant when Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, and Andrew Puttick were reassigned to the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

In April 2023, Arthur was appointed Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, while Bradburn became the head coach of the Pakistan national men’s side earlier in the year. Puttick, a former South African cricketer, has been serving as the batting coach since April 2023. Pakistan’s next major assignment is the T20 World Cup to be played in the USA and the West Indies in June this year.

The PCB must give the new coaches enough time to improve Pakistani players’ skills so that they can improve standard in the ICC Test, ODIs and T20I rankings.

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