News by “Sana Ullah”
Exclusive: Existing Commitments Prompt Decision to Step Back
Shane Watson has opted out of contention for the position of Pakistan’s head coach, despite being the preferred candidate by the PCB.
The former Australian all-rounder, who recently coached Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), had been in advanced talks with the PCB over the past week regarding the possibility of taking on the role of Pakistan’s limited-overs coach. While he had been enthusiastic about the offer, Watson has chosen to prioritize his existing coaching and commentary commitments. Currently engaged in commentary duties for the IPL and serving as head coach for Major League Cricket’s San Francisco Unicorns, alongside his role with Quetta Gladiators, Watson’s decision also takes into account his family commitments in Sydney.
Assuming the full-time position with Pakistan would have required immediate dedication ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand in April, followed by a year-round commitment to Pakistan’s limited-overs program.
Watson’s withdrawal leaves Pakistan without a head coach ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand and subsequent fixtures against England, leading up to the T20 World Cup in June.
While initial reports suggested a substantial financial offer from the PCB, closer scrutiny reveals a figure significantly lower than speculated. However, financial considerations did not influence Watson’s decision to withdraw.
The swift pace of negotiations regarding Watson’s potential appointment meant that accepting the offer would have entailed abrupt exits from his existing roles, primarily contributing to his withdrawal.
Having taken over as head coach of Quetta Gladiators last year, Watson made notable changes, including the replacement of long-serving captain Sarfaraz Ahmed with South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw. Despite a strong start in the PSL, Gladiators lost momentum towards the end of the tournament and were eliminated by Islamabad United on Friday.
