In a recent development, Mark Coles has officially stepped down from his position as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s cricket team due to personal reasons.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed this departure, leaving the team in search of a new leader just ahead of their highly anticipated white-ball series against South Africa. The series is scheduled to commence on September 1 and promises to be a historic event for Pakistan’s women’s cricket.
Coles had initially taken on the role of head coach for the Pakistan women’s cricket team on a trial basis in 2017. His appointment was initially intended to last until the conclusion of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20I World Cup. However, in 2019, he resigned from his post due to family commitments.
The New Zealand cricket coach’s journey didn’t end there, though. In 2021, he was named the head coach of the Scotland women’s national cricket team. Under his leadership, Scotland achieved a remarkable victory in the 2021 ICC Women’s T20I World Cup Europe Qualifier, earning them a spot in the 2022 ICC Women’s T20I World Cup Qualifier. Despite their efforts, they fell short of qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Coles’ association with Scotland’s team came to a close in January 2022 when he announced his resignation as their head coach. However, in April 2023, he made a return to his previous role, re-appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s team on a two-year contract.
The PCB expressed its appreciation for Coles’ time with the women’s side and wished him success in his future endeavors. The board is set to announce his replacement in due course, ensuring the team’s coaching needs are met before their upcoming series against South Africa.
The upcoming white-ball series holds great significance for Pakistan as they prepare to host South Africa for the first time. The series, scheduled to take place in Karachi from September 1 to September 14, will feature three T20Is and three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
Pakistan’s 2023-24 international cricket season promises to be action-packed. Alongside the series against South Africa, the Women in Green are gearing up for tours to Bangladesh in October and New Zealand in November 2023. The team is set to play a total of 15 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and 17 T20Is over the course of the year, marking a busy and crucial period for Pakistan’s women’s cricket.