Saqlain Mushtaq to remain Pakistan head coach

Mushtaq, who has been in interim charge of the Pakistan side since September 2021 will continue in the role for the next 12 months

Saqlain Mushtaq will continue in his role as Pakistan coach on an interim basis for the next 12 months.

The former Pakistan bowler, who took 496 wickets across Test and ODI cricket, was appointed on an interim basis when Misbah-ul-Haq relinquished his role last September.

Mushtaq has enjoyed a good deal of success during his short tenure, having led Pakistan to the T20 World Cup semi finals, as well as beating Bangladesh in both T20 and Test series, and winning a separate T20 series against West Indies.

ESPNcricinfo has reported that Mushtaq previously conveyed to the PCB his unwillingness to continue in the role due to personal commitments.

However, PCB chairman Ramiz Raja convinced him, along with the appointment of some new personnel, ahead of the Test series against Australia.

^{Former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has been signed up as a bowling coach (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)}

Those appointments include former Australia quick bowler Shaun Tait as bowling coach for a 12-month period, as well as Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach and Abdul Majeed as fielding coach – with the latter two initially employed solely for the Australia series, after which the PCB will make further assessments.

During the T20 World Cup, Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander worked with the team as consultant batting and bowling coaches.

As well as the T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan also have the Asia Cup to look forward to following their immediate priority, with Australia preparing to tour the country for the first time in 24 years.