In a surprising development, former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has tendered his resignation from his role as the bowling coach for the Pakistan cricket team. The announcement comes after Pakistan’s poor performance at the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, leaving the team in search of a new mentor for their bowling unit.
Morne Morkel informs PCB about his decision
Morkel, who took up the coaching position on a six-month contract in June this year, has expressed his disinterest in continuing the job, formally informing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about his decision.
Morkel, known for his menacing pace and bounce during his playing days, ventured into coaching with a commitment to sharing his insights with the next generation of cricketers. The former Proteas speedster had been actively involved in mentoring young Pakistani pacers, fostering a culture of competitiveness and skill development.
The PCB is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures. The sudden vacancy in the coaching staff adds a layer of challenge for the cricket board, requiring swift decisions to ensure continuity in the team’s preparations.
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Umar Gul likely to replace Morkel
According to several reports in Pakistan media, former pacer Umar Gul is the frontrunner to replace Morkel as new bowling coach for the upcoming Australia tour.
Gul, who took on coaching duties on an interim basis while Morkel was unavailable in the series against Afghanistan before the CWC 2023, brings a substantial amount of experience and a deep understanding of the team dynamics.
Throughout his international career, Gul represented Pakistan in all three formats of the game. He played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is. In Tests, he took 163 wickets, while in ODIs and T20Is, he claimed 179 and 85 wickets, respectively.
