The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently engaged in discussions to appoint Luke Ronchi, a former star player of the Mumbai Indians, as their new head coach. This decision comes after extensive talks with Ronchi, who has previously coached Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.
The PCB’s pursuit of Ronchi comes as many high-profile coaches have either committed to other leagues or expressed reservations about working in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape. Despite reaching out to several renowned coaches, the PCB has found Ronchi to be the most viable candidate for the role.
The finalization of Ronchi’s contract is expected within the next few days, ahead of the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand to be held in Pakistan. Ronchi, who retired from professional cricket, has previously served as a batting consultant and coach for the New Zealand national team.
While the PCB explored other options, many coaches were either unavailable or hesitant to collaborate due to concerns regarding the PCB’s past relationships with foreign and local coaches.
Ronchi, like others, seeks assurances from the PCB regarding job security and the evaluation of his performance over a specified period rather than after each series or event. This request for clarity stems from previous incidents, such as the leakage of salary details, which led to negotiations with Shane Watson falling through.
Despite these challenges, the PCB has initiated training sessions at the Kakul army base in preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June, starting with the series against New Zealand in April.
Ronchi’s unique international cricketing career, having represented both Australia and New Zealand, adds to his appeal as a coach. His potential appointment reflects the PCB’s commitment to securing experienced individuals capable of guiding the national team amidst competitive international cricketing environments.
As discussions with Ronchi progress, the PCB aims to address concerns and provide assurances to facilitate a successful collaboration aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s cricketing prowess.
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