Mickey Arthur to stay at Derbyshire despite approach from Pakistan

EXCLUSIVE - NICK HOWSON: A position as a consultant or even a PSL coach could yet be agreed but the 54-year-old is not prepared to recommit to a full 12-month international calendar

Mickey Arthur has rejected an approach to become Pakistan men's new head coach for a second time.

The Cricketer understands an informal offer was made last month but has been politely rebuffed.

A position as a consultant or even a PSL coach could yet be agreed upon, however, the PCB say "this option is proving difficult to materialise for various reasons".

Ultimately, the 54-year-old's unwillingness to recommit to a full 12-month international calendar was central to the move.

Pakistan had asked to recruit Arthur for the period which includes this year's Asia Cup and 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Removing himself from the relentlessness of the international game was among the reasons for Arthur's surprise move to Derbyshire as head of cricket in November 2021.

Arthur has informed chief executive Ryan Duckett he is committed to seeing out the remainder of his contract at the Incora County Ground.

^{Mickey Arthur is to stay with Derbyshire despite interest from Pakistan [Getty Images]}

^{Arthur had a successful spell in charge of Pakistan between 2016 and 2019 [Getty Images]}

In early December, the South African extended his deal with the club to 2025 after an encouraging first season which included reached the T20 Blast quarter-finals.

Planning for the new campaign, which gets underway on April 6 with the County Championship visit of Worcestershire, is already firmly underway. Winter training has begun, while the squad for the 2023 season is taking shape.

Matt Lamb and Zak Chappell have signed from Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire, respectively, while Scotland international Mark Watt will return for a third season.

Leus du Plooy has been installed as club captain, replacing Billy Godleman, while Wayne Madsen and Brooke Guest have penned new contracts.

Talks over an overseas replacement for Shan Masood, who will captain Division Two Yorkshire next season, are also at an advanced stage. The club aim to have a deal announced by the end of January when their early-bird club membership window closes.

Between 2016 and 2019, Arthur transformed Pakistan from a side floundering in international cricket's midfield to winners of the Champions Trophy and the ICC No.1 T20I side.

Off the field, he set new standards around fitness, fielding and training which are still upheld today. He remains in contact with many current players and was key in bringing Masood to the club last winter.

^{Derbyshire have shown signs of development under Arthur's leadership [Getty Images]}

^{Arthur has a contract at Derby until 2025 [Getty Images]}

But his contract was not renewed following an internal review after Pakistan finished fifth at the 2019 50-over World Cup.

The PCB are in the process of overhauling the coaching team around the men's side following a winless home Test season, during which they lost 3-0 to England and drew with New Zealand, which is expected to include the exit of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.

The shake-up follows Najam Sethi being installed as head of the new management committee and Ramiz Raja departing as chair.

There are those inside the PCB who still regret the manner of Arthur's departure just over three years ago, but they will have to look elsewhere to find a solution to their latest predicament. "Some top names are already under consideration," said the PCB.

He could take up an informal position as an advisor, but any agreement would have to fit around his Derbyshire commitments. The club have been open to him taking on roles in the off-season; he led Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League and was part of Cricket West Indies' three-person panel which reviewed the men's T20 World Cup performance in Australia.

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