Reports: Mickey Arthur set to return as Pakistan coach

Former South African cricketer Mickey Arthur, who also coached the Pakistani side between 2016-2019, is reportedly set to return to the coaching unit of the Babar Azam-led side. He has accepted the offer kept forward by newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi and is likely to take up the role soon.

The former Proteas cricketer was contacted by Sethi, the head of the PCB's 14-member management committee, regarding his position in the new system. Arthur is reportedly set to join the squad prior to the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Notably, Pakistan lifted the Champions Trophy in 2017 under Arthur’s mentorship.

The current PCB management is restructuring the organization and has fired the selection committee, which was directed by Mohammad Wasim. While former cricketer Shahid Afridi has been appointed as interim chief selector, reports by Pakistan’s Geo TV also reveal that it has been decided not to renew the contracts of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and bowling coach Shaun Tait.

The Pakistan team, meanwhile, is hosting New Zealand for a two-match Test series. The first game started on Boxing Day, which is December 26. While teams are currently competing to make their way into the World Test Championship Finals, Pakistan is on the brink of elimination. Defending champions New Zealand, on the other hand, have already been knocked out.

Babar Azam spoke to the media ahead of the first Test, and opened up about the numerous changes happening in the Pakistani setup as he said:

“The way things are going on and in the last few days changes have come, I think as a professional you are to face such things. But our job is to perform and to apply our best. Look, these things are off the ground and our entire focus is on the ground and how to win a match and how to start well this series, and how to deliver in all three departments,” Babar was quoted by Geo Tv.