Reports: Newly-appointed PCB chief Najam Sethi wants Mickey Arthur back as Pakistan head coach

It has been reported that the cricket management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under the guidance of the newly-elected chairman Najam Sethi is trying its level best to bring veteran coach Mickey Arthur back on board as the head coach of the men's national cricket team.

Arthur had previously served as Pakistan's head coach from 2016 to 2019. During his successful tenure, the Men in Green attained greater heights by winning their maiden ICC Champions Trophy title in 2017 and registering a record 11 straight T20I series wins. Mickey Arthur is currently engaged in managing Derbyshire in England.

Efforts are on to bring back Mickey Arthur: Source

“Efforts are on to bring back Arthur and some other options are also being looked at and they are all foreigners," a PTI source said as reported by News 18.

The PCB has decided to hire a new head coach after spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq has confirmed that he would be relinquishing his position post the conclusion of the upcoming home bilateral series against New Zealand starting Monday, December 26.

At the same time, PCB chairman Najam Sethi also reckons that a foreign coach is what the Pakistan team currently needs.

“We have seen in the past when Mickey Arthur was the coach that a foreigner does not bring excess baggage with him and is willing to make no compromises in team interest," Sethi told the media after a meeting of the committee.

Arthur was sacked as coach following Pakistan’s underwhelming performances in the 2019 World Cup in England & Wales that saw them miss the semi-final berth. Apart from Mickey, veteran stumper Sarfaraz Ahmed was also axed as captain while former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq’s term as chief selector also ended with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, Najam Sethi has been appointed as Ramiz Raja’s successor after the latter was shown the door just days after Pakistan’s humiliating 0-3 whitewash in the home Test series against England in Pakistan.