The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Grant Bradburn as the head coach of the national cricket team for a period of two years. The period includes major upcoming ICC events including Asia Cup 2023 (ACC), 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Bradburn recently served as a consultant during Pakistan’s series against New Zealand, which Pakistan won with a lead of four to one. The victory propelled the team to the top spot in the global one-day ranking.
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Previously, from 2018 to 2020, Bradburn worked as the fielding coach for the Pakistan team. After which, he also served at the National Cricket Academy. Bradburn, originally from New Zealand, has previously served as the head coach for Scotland.
In addition to Bradburn’s appointment, sources suggest that a two-year contract will also be signed with Andrew Puttick as the batting coach. It is said that Puttick has expressed readiness to fulfill his responsibilities.
At the same time, the hunt for new bowling and fielding coaches is still going on. The PCB’s management committee is reportedly still determining the process for these appointments.
Chairman of the PCB management committee, Najam Sethi, expressed his pleasure on the appointment of Bradburn as head coach. He highlighted Bradburn’s extensive coaching experience, mentioning his previous tenure with the PCB, which makes him well-versed with their culture.
Who is Grant Bradburn?
Grant Bradburn is a former international cricketer from New Zealand. Born on 26 May 1966, Bradburn was a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler. He made his debut for the New Zealand national team, also known as the Black Caps, in 1990 and played a total of 7 Test matches and 11 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for his country.
After retiring from professional cricket, Bradburn transitioned to a coaching career. He has had various coaching roles, including stints with Northern Districts, a first-class cricket team in New Zealand, and the Scotland national team.
Bradburn has a reputation for improving fielding standards. From 2018 to 2020, he served as the fielding coach for the Pakistan national team. In 2023, he was appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, a position that acknowledges his vast experience and understanding of the game.