Pakistan coach resigns days before Test tours to West Indies and England

Pakistan’s Babar Azam during a training session ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo) Pakistan coach Shane McDermott has resigned ahead of the team’s upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, ending his tenure after about a year in the role.McDermott will not go on any tour with the team, news agency PTI reported citing sources.PCB is expected to name Mansoor Amjad as his replacement. Amjad has worked as an infield coach with the Pakistan Shaheens and Under-19 team.“Mansoor Amjad, who was the coach of the Pakistan Shaheens and Under-19 team, is likely to replace McDermott,” a source was quoted as saying by PTI.Pakistan are scheduled to leave on Monday for a two-Test series in the West Indies before traveling to England for a three-Test series.The PCB gave no reason for McDermott’s resignation. His departure is the latest in a series of foreign coaches who have left Pakistan cricket without an official explanation.In recent years, trainer and physio Cliffe Deacon has left his role, and former head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have also resigned.McDermott came to Pakistan in 2025 after replacing Mohammad Masroor as the national team’s fielding coach. His first assignment was Pakistan’s three-match T20I series in Bangladesh in July 2025.Before joining Pakistan, McDermott spent three years as an assistant outfield coach in Bangladesh and another three years in a similar role in Sri Lanka.Pakistan cricket has seen several foreign coaches, trainers and physios come and go over the past few years. One of the most notable departures came in 2019 when Steve Rixon stepped down after disagreements with the board.The Pakistan men’s team has also changed several fielding coaches since Mickey Arthur’s first stint as head coach, with improving fitness and fielding becoming a major part of the team’s approach.