Andy Richards joins Pakistan team as assistant coach and batting consultant

Richards, who is currently working as the Female Pathway Manager for Queensland Cricket, has previously worked as Head Coach of Queensland’s women’s teams; Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat. This experience means Richards’ has great knowledge of the women’s game and can help the Pakistani team grow and improve.

PCB has appointed Richards’ at this position for four tours’ with the team. His first assignment will be against Australia in the third round of the ICC Women’s Championship. Then, he will accompany the team to the West Indies for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in November, after which Pakistan will play two other series in the ICC Women’s Championship; the first one against the West Indies and the second against South Africa.

After a disastrous Women’s World Cup campaign in 2017, during which the Pakistani team remained winless, major changes in the managerial and coaching staff were implemented, such as long-standing skipper, Sana Mir stepping down from the captaincy role and Bismah Maroof taking over the reins. Mark Cole from New Zealand was assigned the role of the Head Coach and Pakistani test cricketer Jalauddin was named as new chief of the selection committee. These changes paid dividends as Pakistan won their first-ever ODI against New Zealand and then went on to white-washed Sri Lanka on their home turf.

However, a disappointing Asia Cup campaign followed and once again, inconsistency in the Pakistani batting order cost them. PCB will be hoping Richards’ will help the team improve on this issue ahead of the T20 World Cup where Pakistan will be looking to bounce back.