Chairman Mohsin Naqvi of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) presided over a crucial meeting at the PCB headquarters, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Thursday night. 

The focal point of the meeting was the presentation of recommendations by the selection committee members concerning the national cricket team’s captaincy. Deliberations also ensued on matters pertaining to the appointment of coaching staff.

In attendance were Chief Operating Officer of PCB, Salman Naseer, alongside selection committee members Mohammad Yousuf, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Bilal Afzal, and Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla. 

According to sources, the board is in the final stages of negotiations with two renowned foreign coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, for separate roles in managing different formats of the game. This represents a departure from the conventional approach of having a single head coach.

The proposed division of duties would see Kirsten potentially take charge of the white-ball format, while Gillespie leading with his coaching experience in the red-ball team. The board is also exploring a flexible arrangement where Gillespie could step in for Kirsten during overlapping engagements, ensuring a seamless coaching experience for the players across formats.

Beyond these negotiations, the PCB is actively engaging a broader spectrum of candidates for various coaching and support staff roles, including local coaches, with the aim of enhancing the team’s performance.

There was a consensus to integrate local coaches alongside foreign counterparts to address potential criticism regarding the absence of Pakistani coaching talent. Former cricketers advocated for incentivizing Pakistani coaches on par with their foreign counterparts.

Furthermore, discussions within the PCB are underway regarding a potential change in leadership for the T20 World Cup 2024, with considerations to replace Shaheen Afridi as captain. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are being deliberated as potential successors. The meeting also weighed the ramifications of removing Shaheen Afridi and reinstating Babar Azam’s leadership on team performance and cohesion. There was also a suggestion given to retain Shaheen as captain till the T20 World Cup, and then announce one captain for all formats later.

Ultimately, Mohsin Naqvi is entrusted with the final call concerning the captaincy, taking into account all pertinent factors. 

Meanwhile, amidst speculation, Shaheen Afridi is contemplating stepping down as T20I captain as he has been kept in the dark regarding any discussion regarding a potential captaincy change. However, counsel from close sources are advising him against taking such action.