The Pakistan Cricket Board has reduced its hunt for a new head coach to Luke Ronchi, a former Australian and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter. A PCB source claimed on Wednesday that “extensive discussions” had taken place with Ronchi, 42, who has previously managed Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.
“With no high-profile coach showing interest in working for the PCB as most of them are already committed with different leagues or have reservations working in Pakistan cricket, the search has come down to Ronchi,” a person familiar with the matter said. He stated that the contract with Ronchi should be concluded within the next few days, before the home T20 series against New Zealand begins. After retiring from professional cricket, Ronchi became the New Zealand team’s batting consultant and coach.
The source further stated that the PCB team had approached numerous well-known coaches, but the majority of them were either already committed or unwilling to accept any assignment with the Pakistan board.
According to the source, Ronchi has not yet said yes and has requested for an ironclad commitment that he will be given an appropriate time frame to work with the Pakistan team over time, regardless of the outcomes. “He wants clear assurances that his performance will only be evaluated after a certain period of time, not after every series or event,” a person familiar with the matter said.
Last Monday, PCB director Mohsin Naqvi blamed the Australian’s final withdrawal from the coaching contract discussion on the release of salary data and other issues. The PCB has already begun its training camp at the Kakul army post in preparation for the T20 World Cup in June, which begins with Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand in April. Ronchi is one of the few international cricketers who have played for both Australia and New Zealand.
