In a surprising move, Pakistan’s cricket witnessed significant changes following their inability to secure a spot in the semifinals of the ODI World Cup 2023. The disappointment led to a restructuring of the support staff, and captain Babar Azam stepped down from his leadership role.
The coaching trio of Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, and Andrew Puttick, integral during the World Cup, transitioned to roles at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. However, in a recent development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed their resignation from these positions.
Mickey Arthur, with an illustrious coaching career, was initially announced as the director of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team in April 2023. His first stint with the Pakistan team, from 2016 to 2019, saw remarkable achievements, including claiming the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test team rankings and winning the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Arthur’s extensive coaching experience spans teams such as South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
Grant Bradburn, the former New Zealand international, had served as the fielding coach of the Pakistan men’s team from 2018 to 2020 before assuming the Head of High-Performance Coaching role at NCA. Under his guidance, Pakistan reached the top of the ICC ODI team rankings in May 2023, marking a significant accomplishment.
Andrew Puttick, the batting coach appointed in April 2023, also played a crucial role in the coaching setup. However, the trio has now decided to step down from their roles by the end of January 2024.
The PCB, in an amicable statement, acknowledged the decision and expressed gratitude for their services while wishing them success in their future endeavors.
As the cricketing landscape in Pakistan undergoes these changes, fans and experts alike will be keenly observing the PCB’s next steps in rebuilding and reshaping the team for future challenges on the international stage.