The Pakistan Shaheens are gearing up for a busy season. They will tour both Australia and England in the coming months. In a major boost, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will appoint legendary pacer Umar Gul as head coach. He will guide the young squad on these crucial tours.
Umar Gul Brings Valuable Experience
Notably, Umar Gul’s appointment comes at the right time. He retired from international cricket in 2020 but built an impressive coaching record since then. He has coached the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and worked with Afghanistan’s national team.
Moreover, he stepped in as Pakistan’s bowling coach after Morne Morkel’s exit. He worked with the senior side during the Test series against Australia in 2023. Later, he also coached the team during the T20I series against New Zealand in 2024.
Busy Schedule Ahead for Shaheens
The Legendary Pacer to Lead Pakistan Shaheens on Tour of Australia for the Top End T20 Series in Darwin. The event will run from August 14 to 24. This marks the Shaheens’ third straight appearance in the tournament.
This year, they will face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match at Darwin’s TIO Stadium. The 2025 edition will feature 11 teams and 36 T20 matches across five venues. Therefore, fans can expect thrilling contests throughout the event.
PCB Makes More Coaching Changes
Meanwhile, the PCB has made other key changes too. Australian Shane McDermott will take over as the new fielding coach, replacing Mohammad Masroor. In addition, Grant Luden returns as Strength and Conditioning Coach — a role he handled in the past.
These moves show that the PCB wants to strengthen the support staff as well.
Fans Hope for Another Strong Run
In previous editions, the Shaheens have performed well. They reached the final in 2023 and the semi-final in 2024. Impressively, they secured wins over teams like Perth Scorchers, Tasmania, Melbourne Renegades, and Bangladesh ‘A’.
Now, with the legendary pacer leading the way, fans expect the team to shine again. Many believe Gul’s experience and leadership will help the young players grow quickly.
Stay with FactFile for all updates as the Pakistan Shaheens head Down Under.
