Following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to renew the contracts of Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur and his support staff.
PCB, in a release on Wednesday, announced that it had ended its association with the head coach, as well as the bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden.
The decision comes following a review process undertaken in the aftermath of the World Cup where Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals.
“The PCB Cricket Committee, which met on Friday, were unanimous in their recommendations for the change,” the release said, adding, “The recommendations were forwarded and discussed with the PCB Chairman, Ehsan Mani.”
The PCB will now invite applications for the four available positions.
Talking about Pakistan’s outing to the recently concluded World Cup in England and Wales, the Green Brigade failed to make it to the knockout stage. Though they had their points (11) equal to that of New Zealand — who eventually qualified at the No. 4 spot, it was their lower run-rate which restricted their entry. Meanwhile, the team failed to perform as a unit under coach Mickey Arthur.
Arthur was appointed as the head coach of Pakistan in May 2016. Under his stint, Pakistan became the number one ranked T20I side. He coached Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title, with a stunning 180-run victory over arch-rivals India in the final. This was the first time the Pakistan team managed to win the ICC Champions Trophy.