KARACHI: According to media on Saturday, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson declined a chance to lead the Pakistan men’s national squad.
The 42-year-old Watson was in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about coaching the national squad, but he ultimately withdrew his name despite being the front-runner for the aforementioned role.
The player, who was born in Ipswich and currently resides in Sydney, is the coach of the Pakistan Super League’s Quetta Gladiators.
As to ESPNcricinfo, Watson’s primary concern is fulfilling his current coaching duties and commentary commitments. He will coach the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket and be a member of the commentary crew in the Indian Premier League this season.
If he accepted to take over as Pakistan’s head coach before the green-shirts’ home white-ball series against New Zealand next month, he would have to start right away.
In addition to playing a T20 International series against England in May, Pakistan—who is presently without a head coach—will compete in the ICC T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in the US and the West Indies in June of this year.
Media reports state that the PCB offered Watson $2 million annually.
Watson, who was appointed head coach of the Gladiators last year, was a player of the franchise in 2019 when they won the PSL.
The Gladiators qualified for the playoffs of the ongoing PSL for the first time in five years. However, they were eliminated by Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday after which Watson left for Australia.
