Pakistan Coach Leaves Team Suddenly

Mohsin Naqvi and Babar Azam [Source: AFP]

A Pakistan cricket coach has resigned from his post, doing so just a couple of months before the all-important 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The sudden announcement also occurred mere days after legendary batter Babar Azam was re-appointed as Pakistan’s Test captain. 

The timing of the resignation has inevitably drawn attention, although it comes as Pakistan gear up for their upcoming overseas assignments.

Pakistan coach leaves team before Asian Games

Shane McDermott has decided to step down as Pakistan men’s fielding coach. The former Tasmania cricketer was appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball fielding coach back in July last year prior to a tour of Bangladesh. 

However, his role was later transitioned to handling only Pakistan’s white-ball teams. 

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Many fans and cricket experts in Pakistan believe that the team’s fielding standards improved noticeably during his tenure, with several players in the national side beginning to produce sharper displays on the field. 

Shane McDermott briefly served as part of the Mike Hesson-led Pakistan coaching staff,

It is worth noting that McDermott has also previously served as the fielding coach of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka cricket teams. During his time with Afghanistan, the team reached the semifinal of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies. 

Shane McDermott leaves Pakistan after Babar Azam’s re-appointment

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to acknowledge Shane McDermott’s resignation as Pakistan’s fielding coach, the timing of his exit pretty much coincided with the re-appointment of legendary batter Babar Azam as Test captain. 

Even though McDermott was serving the Pakistan team as its white-ball coach, captain Babar surely would have benefitted with his presence. Notably, just a few days ago, the seasoned Pakistan pro emphasized the importance of discipline and fitness to mark his second coming as national Test skipper. 

The two aspects Babar Azam mentioned are both quite integral to maintaining high fielding standards, making McDermott's departure a notable development for the team.

Pakistan to tour West Indies, England before Asian Games

The Pakistan cricket team, under new captain Babar Azam, will now be touring West Indies and England for back-to-back away Test series. 

While Pakistan will be facing West Indies for a two-match Test series, the team will travel to England in August and September to play three Tests at Leeds, Lord’s and Birmingham.

The impending series against West Indies will be hosted by Tarouba and Port of Spain between July 25 and August 6. All five matches will form a part of the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, where the ‘Men in Green’ are currently placed at the bottom of the points table. 

After the two series, the Pakistan cricket team will be expected to travel to Japan for the 2026 Asian Games. The PCB named Pakistan’s squad for the Asian Games last month, excluding several of their first-choice stars in the process.

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