In April 2024, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie in head coach roles. Kirsten is the new head coach of their men’s white-ball teams, while Gillespie has been appointed as their new Test head coach.
In January, Grant Bradburn stepped down from his position as head coach after the team’s 2023 World Cup debacle. Following the team’s unsuccessful tour of Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez briefly assumed the role.
There have been several changes in Pakistan’s support staff over the last few months and a number of people of been added to the list of Pakistan cricket coaches.
List of Pakistan National Cricket Team Coaches
| HEAD COACH | TENURE |
| Intikhab Alam | 1995 |
| Mushtaq Mohammad | 1996 |
| Haroon Rasheed | 1996 – 1998 |
| Javed Miandad | 1998 – 1999, 2000 – 2001, 2003 – 2004 |
| Mushtaq Ahmed | 1999 – 1999 |
| Richard Pybus | 1999, 2002 – 2003 |
| Mudassar Nazar | 2001 – 2022 |
| Bob Woolmer | 2004 – 2007 |
| Geoff Lawson | 2007 to 2008 |
| Intikhab Alam | 2008 to 2010 |
| Mohsin Khan | 2011 – 2012 |
| Dav Whatmore | 2012 to 2014 |
| Moin Khan | 2014 |
| Mickey Arthur | 2016 – 2019 |
| Misbah Ul Haq | 2019 – 2021 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | 2021 – 2022 |
| Grant Bradburn | 2023 |
| Gary Kirsten – White Ball | 2024 |
| Jason Gillespie – Red Ball | 2024 |
| Aaqib Javed | 2024-Present |
1. Javed Miandad – 1998- 1999, 2000 – 2001, 2003 – 2004
Miandad’s three tenures as head coach were characterized by triumphs and controversies. From leading Pakistan to victories against arch-rivals India to clinching a title in Asian Test Championship and Sharjah Cup, Miandad’s coaching acumen was evident. However, his abrupt resignations and occasional clashes with cricketing authorities meant all his three tenures were short.
2. Mushtaq Ahmed – 1999
Ahmed’s brief stint as coach coincided with Pakistan’s memorable run to the 1999 World Cup final. Despite the team’s success on the field, allegations of match-fixing tarnished Ahmed’s tenure, highlighting the dark shadows that often loomed over Pakistan cricket during that era.
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3. Richard Pybus – 1999, 2002 – 2003
Richard Pybus served as Pakistan’s assistant coach during the 1999 World Cup but left the following year due to security concerns. He returned in 2002 as head coach, guiding the team until the 2003 World Cup before resigning.
4. Mudassar Nazar – 2001 – 2002
In the mid-1980s, Mudassar took on the role of spokesperson for the Pakistan players’ association. He asserts that his criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) resulted in his exclusion from the national team. He was appointed head coach of Pakistan cricket in 2001. His coaching tenure was marked by promise and disappointment. Despite initial optimism, a string of poor performances led to his early departure,
5. Bob Woolmer – 2004 – 2007
Bob Woolmer succeeded Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s head coach after the team’s home-series loss to India. His tenure was set to last until the 2007 World Cup. During this period, Pakistan secured victories in 37 out of 69 ODIs and 10 out of 28 Test matches.
Woolmer’s arrival was highly anticipated but he was largely unsuccessful. His sudden demise during the 2007 World Cup sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
6. Geoff Lawson – 2007 – 2008
Geoff Lawson’s tenure as Pakistan’s coach began on a high note, with the team reaching the final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. However, despite this early success, his time with the national team was cut short after just 15 months and five Test matches.
He was dismissed on October 24, 2008, due to several challenges, including persistent injuries to key fast bowlers, an unsettled squad under captain Shoaib Malik, Australia canceling their full tour of Pakistan, and the postponement of the Champions Trophy.
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7. Intikhab Alam – 2008 – 2010
Intikhab Alam, a former Pakistan captain, has always been involved with Pakistan in different roles. He was first appointed the team manager in 1982, a position he held for the next ten years.
He played a key role in Pakistan’s historic 1992 World Cup win, serving as both the manager and head coach. Alam’s next full-time coaching stint came in 2008 when he replaced the dismissed Geoff Lawson.
8. Mohsin Khan – 2011 – 2012
Mohsin Khan served as the interim coach of the Pakistan national cricket team from October 2011 to early 2012. Under his guidance, Pakistan secured Test series victories against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and England.
However, in early 2012, Mohsin Khan was replaced by Dav Whatmore, who was appointed as the permanent coach. Khan has since applied for coaching roles with the Pakistan team on multiple occasions, but has not been successful in securing the position.
9. Dav Whatmore – 2012 – 2014
On March 4, 2012, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Dav Whatmore as the head coach of the national team, replacing interim coach Mohsin Khan, with a two-year contract. His tenure began on a high note, as Pakistan won the Asia Cup by defeating Bangladesh in the final. Whatmore’s contract ended in 2014, and he was succeeded by Moin Khan as the head coach.
10. Moin Khan – 2014
Moin Khan took the helm as Pakistan’s head coach in February 2014 for the Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20. However, he was swiftly dismissed just two months later after Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the World T20.
11. Mickey Arthur – 2016 – 2019
On April 20, 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board officially announced the appointment of Mickey Arthur as the Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. In this capacity, Arthur was tasked with shaping and overseeing the strategic direction of the team. He was also part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, as well as the away tour to Australia and the home series against the West Indies.
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12. Misbah-ul-Haq – 2019 – 2021
Haq was the head coach of Pakistan from 2019 to 2021. Under him Pakistan performed well in Test cricket, winning seven and losing six of 16 matches.
In October 2020, Misbah stepped down as chief selector, retaining his role as head coach. His first series solely as head coach saw Pakistan lose 2–0 to New Zealand. Despite this, he guided Pakistan to their first Test series win over South Africa since 2003. However, on September 6, 2021, Misbah resigned as the head coach of Pakistan.
13. Saqlain Mushtaq – 2021 – 2023
After Haq came in Mushtaq, under whom Pakistan did well in the shortest format. But Mushtaq exited from the role after a few losses in the longest format, especially after Pakistan could not qualify for the World Test Championship final in 2023.
14. Grant Bradburn – 2023
Grant Bradburn was appointed the head coach in 2023 with high expectations but under him, Pakistan did well neither at the Asia Cup or the World Cup, eventually leading to his departure.
Who is the current head coach of Pakistan?
Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie were appointed head coaches of the white ball and red ball formats respectively. However, both these coaches have stepped down from the role and now, Aaqib Javed, former fast bowler of Pakistan, is now the head coach of both the formats.
FAQ’s about Pakistan Cricket Coaches
Q) Who has been appointed as the new head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball teams?
A) Gary Kirsten stepped down and he was replaced by Aaqib Javed as the new head coach of Pakistan’s men’s white-ball teams.
Q) Who will be the new head coach for Pakistan’s Test team?
A) Jason Gillespie has been appointed as the new head coach of Pakistan’s Test team.
Q) Why did Grant Bradburn step down as head coach?
A) Grant Bradburn stepped down after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup.
Q) Who temporarily took over the head coach role after Bradburn’s departure?
A) Mohammad Hafeez, the former Pakistan all-rounder, briefly assumed the role of head coach.
Q) What recent changes have occurred in Pakistan’s coaching staff?
A) Several changes have been made to Pakistan’s support staff, with new additions to the coaching team in recent months.
