KARACHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has declined an offer to coach the Pakistan men’s national team, according to media reports on Saturday.
The 42-year-old Watson was a front-runner for the role and was in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about coaching the national squad, but he ultimately withdrew his name.
The Ipswich-born footballer, who now resides in Sydney, is the current coach of the Pakistan Super League’s Quetta Gladiators.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Watson is more concerned with fulfilling his current coaching and commentary commitments. He will be on the commentary crew for this year’s Indian Premier League and coach the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket.
He would have to start immediately if he accepted to become Pakistan’s head coach before the green-shirts’ home white-ball series against New Zealand next month.
Pakistan, who are presently without a head coach, will also play a T20 International series against England in May, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States and the West Indies in June.
According to media accounts, the PCB was prepared to pay Shane Watson $2 million year.
Watson, who was named Gladiators head coach last year, was a member of the franchise’s PSL championship team in 2019.
The Gladiators have qualified for the current PSL playoffs for the first time in five years. However, they were defeated by Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday, and Watson departed for Australia.
Maria Ghanchi