In an unexpected turn of events, Saqlain Mushtaq, the renowned spin bowling coach, has withdrawn from his coaching role with Multan Sultans for the upcoming ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This departure has paved the way for the appointment of former ECB performance director David Parsons as the new spin bowling coach for the team. Let’s delve into the details of this coaching staff transition.
PSL 9 Saqlain Mushtaq Withdraws
Saqlain Mushtaq’s decision to step down from the coaching staff of Multan Sultans stems from scheduling reasons. Despite the initial excitement surrounding his appointment in October 2023, unforeseen conflicts have led to the amicable separation between Saqlain and the franchise.
Meet the Replacement: David Parsons
David Parsons, a familiar face in the cricket coaching circuit, will take over Saqlain’s responsibilities as the spin bowling coach for Multan Sultans. Parsons, a former national spin bowling coach for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from 2005 to 2007, has an extensive coaching background.
Interestingly, Parsons has recently been involved in activities beyond cricket, currently serving as the performance director for England Netball. Despite his temporary break from full-time cricket coaching, Parsons brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Multan Sultans’ setup.
Parsons’ Previous Experience in Pakistan
David Parsons is no stranger to Pakistan, having left a positive impression during his previous stint in the country. Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen revealed that Parsons spent a week at the Multan Sultans academy, where he oversaw a group of young spinners in Lodhran, South Punjab. One of these spinners was none other than Faisal Akram, the left-arm wrist-spinner who will now reunite with Parsons as a part of Multan’s squad.
Faisal Akram’s Return Under Parsons’ Guidance
Faisal Akram, who previously worked with Parsons at the academy, will once again benefit from the experienced coach’s guidance. Parsons expressed his excitement about reuniting with Faisal, stating, “I am especially excited to meet up again with Faisal Akram, with whom I worked in the academy.”
The Multan Sultans Coaching Staff – PSL 9
Here is the updated coaching staff for Multan Sultans in the upcoming PSL 9:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Abdul Rehman |
| Spin bowling coach | David Parsons |
| Assistant and development coach | Muhammad Wasim |
| Fast bowling coach | Catherine Dalton |
| Assistant spin bowling coach | Alex Hartley |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Drikus Saaiman |
| Fielding coach | Drikus Saaiman |
Owner’s Perspective
Ali Khan Tareen, the owner and chief executive of Multan Sultans, acknowledged the challenges that led to Saqlain’s withdrawal but expressed optimism about leveraging his experience in the future. “We will definitely make use of his experience at some stage in the future,” Tareen affirmed.
In conclusion, while Saqlain Mushtaq’s departure from Multan Sultans brings about a coaching staff reshuffle, the arrival of David Parsons, along with the reunion with Faisal Akram, adds an intriguing element to the team dynamics as they gear up for PSL 9.