Yasir Arafat to serve as head coach of Pakistan team in Mickey Arthur’s absence

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hire former cricketer, Yasir Arafat, as the new bowling and assistant coach of Pakistan men’s team.

According to sources, after discussions with Mickey Arthur, who is set to be appointed the team’s director, it was decided that Arafat would also serves as the head coach in Arthur’s absence.

It must be noted that despite assuming the team’s director position, Arthur will not be with the team during international series that will take place during the English county season, as he will continue to work as the full-time coach for Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

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Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka in July for two Tests and take part in Asia Cup in September. Arthur is expected to be unavailable for these assignments, but will join the team for the 2023 World Cup in India and the Australian tour later this year.

Arafat recently became the first Pakistan Test cricketer to complete the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) level 4 coaching course.

He announced this on Twitter, thanking the Pakistan Cricket Association (PCA) for their support and the coaches who helped him achieve this milestone.

"Alhumdulillah, I have completed my ECB Level 4 coaching course. A big thanks to @PCA for their support and to all the coaches who helped me achieve this," tweeted .Arafat

Arafat, who played 11 ODIs, 13 T20Is, and 3 Tests for Pakistan, has lived in England since his retirement, where he has been working in various positions and coaching teams at the junior level.

In 2019, he reportedly applied for the position of Pakistan's bowling coach, but Waqar Younis ultimately filled the role under the new coaching panel led by Misbah-ul-Haq.