The concept of online coaching by a foreign coach is beyond comprehension: Shahid Afridi

Mickey Arthur is front-runner to coach Pakistan virtually [Source: Twitter]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to re-hire Mickey Arthur as Pakistan's national team head coach. However, Arthur will be appointed as an online coach and will virtually be with the team until the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, while also carrying out his duties at Derbyshire County as Director of Cricket.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has questioned PCB's fascination with appointing a foreign coach, and also expressed his reservations about online coaching as per a report in Cricket Pakistan.

The same PCB management under Najam Sethi roped in Afridi as a chief national selector for a short stint during New Zealand's tour of Pakistan. 

Here's what Afridi said

"Well, even I don't know what type of coaching will happen or what the plan is. The concept of online coaching by a foreign coach for the national team is beyond comprehension,"

"Why only foreign coaches? Pakistan do have good coaches here. I know PCB also takes into consideration where the person is presently involved in politics. But all those should be kept aside in cricket so that we get a person who can take the tough calls which eventually makes a good team,"

Pakistan's next international assignment will be against New Zealand, who will travel to Pakistani shores for a 5-match ODI and T20I tour in April. 

Also Read: Mickey Arthur likely to become first online coach ?