The search finally ends: Mickey Arthur named new Pakistan head coach

Karachi: Former South Africa and Australia coach Mickey Arthur was on Friday named head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, succeeding Waqar Younis who had resigned owing to the side’s disastrous World Twenty20 campaign. “Following detailed consultations on this matter at the last Board Of Governors’ meeting and further telephone consultations by the PCB Chairman with Board Of Governers, discussions with Mickey Arthur were initiated and he has confirmed his acceptance of the post of Head Coach of the Pakistan National Cricket team,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

“The modalities vis-a-vis his contract are being finalised. It is expected that Mickey Arthur will be able to join the PCB toward the end of this month,” it added. Arthur had been coaching the Karachi Kings team in the Pakistan Super League. [caption id=“attachment_1066643” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Mickey Arthur. Reuters[/caption] The 47-year-old will take over from Waqar, who had resigned from the position claiming that none of his suggestions were being accepted by the PCB. Following Waqar’s resignation, the PCB invited applications from potential candidates for the position. A panel was appointed – comprising Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja and Faisal Mirza – to make recommendations to the PCB. The post was initially offered to Stuart Law, who turned it down citing his inability to immediately join the team. Englishman Peter Moores had also rejected PCB’s offer. Arthur, who played 110 first class games as a batsman in South Africa, led the Proteas to world number one ranking across all formats during his tenure as coach from 2005 to 2010. During his stint as coach, South Africa won 13 consecutive ODIs, equalling Australia’s world record. After South Africa, Arthur was the coach of the Australian team from 2011 to 2013 before helming the Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League.