The Pakistani men's cricket team is undergoing a period of changes. Former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tate has agreed to take up the position of bowling consultant with the Pakistani team. According to Geo News, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may soon officially announce his appointment.
Shaun Tate is expected to arrive in Pakistan early next week. There, he will meet with PCB representatives to finalize contract formalities. After this, he will begin working with the national team's fast bowlers.
Shaun Tate has previously collaborated with the Pakistani team. In March 2022, he was appointed as the full-time bowling coach ahead of Australia's tour of Pakistan and held this position until January 2023. Tate's initial contract with the PCB was for one year, but it was not renewed following organizational changes within the board.
This time, his return is in a different role. Instead of a coach who stays with the team year-round, he will assist the fast bowlers as a consultant. Tate previously worked with the Bangladesh fast team but left that position earlier this year.
While in Bangladesh, he expressed concerns about being fully occupied throughout the entire year as a coach across all formats. Upon leaving, Shaun Tate noted that 12 months of constant work related to red and white ball cricket was sufficient, and he now wanted to dedicate more time to his family. Therefore, the consultant role is closer to his priorities.
The 43-year-old Shaun Tate played for Australia in three Test matches, 35 ODIs, and 21 T20 Internationals. Tate, known for his high pace, is well acquainted with Pakistan's bowling system. His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan faces important series. The team is scheduled to play T20 and Test matches against Sri Lanka at home, followed by an ODI trilateral between Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka.