Mickey Arthur and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are close to agreeing on a deal that will result in Arthur’s return to the Pakistan men’s side but as team director.
Talks between the two had ended three weeks ago when the PCB announced it was moving on in its search for a replacement for Saqlain Mushtaq, the outgoing Pakistan coach.
The two sides had failed to reach an agreement on how such a role could work, given that Arthur has a long-term deal with Derbyshire that he does not want to end. According to reports, an arrangement is close to being finalised now, with Arthur potentially starting on April 1 as team director.
Former Pakistan fielding coach and one-time head of their High Performance Center—Grant Bradburn is expected to lead the support staff as a high-powered assistant coach. There will also be three coaches for batting, bowling, and fielding, but no traditional head coach. During the English county season, Arthur will not be hands-on with the team.
However, Arthur is expected to join the team after the county season for high-profile commitments such as the ODI World Cup in India in October-November this year and the Test tour of Australia later in the winter.
