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 |
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.
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
Nazar’s 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
6. Geoff Lawson – 2007 – 2008
Geoff Lawson took on the role of coaching the Pakistan team for two years starting in 2007. But the PCB announced in 2008 that Lawson’s contract would not be extended after its expiration in April 2008, saying he wasn’t required anymore.
7. Intikhab Alam – 2008 – 2010
In 2008, Alam was appointed as Pakistan’s coach but was later replaced by Waqar Younis after Pakistan’s disappointing tour of Australia in 2010.
8. Mohsin Khan – 2011 – 2012
In October 2011, Mohsin Khan assumed the role of interim coach for the Pakistan team, a position he held until early 2012 when Dav Whatmore was appointed as the permanent coach.
9. Dav Whatmore – 2012 – 2014
Dav Whatmore led Pakistan as head coach from March 2012 to 2014, securing victory in the Asia Cup during his tenure.
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
Mickey Arthur assumed the role of head coach in May 2016 and held it until August 2019. Under his tenure, Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Despite these achievements, the PCB opted not to renew Arthur’s contract in August 2019.
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.
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.