Morne Morkel, the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team, has resigned after the end of his six-month contract, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a press release on Monday. This decision comes following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to secure a spot in the knockout stage under Morkel’s coaching. The PCB has not named Morkel’s successor yet, but has assured that a decision will be made “in due course.”
Pakistan is now preparing to tour Australia in December for a challenging three-Test series, aiming to regain momentum after their World Cup setback. During the tournament, the team faced a series of defeats, culminating in a tough final league stage game against England where they needed to chase down a monumental target of 338 runs within 6.4 overs to secure a semifinal spot.
This marks the fifth consecutive occasion at the ODI World Cup that Pakistan has fallen short of reaching the semifinals, prompting intense scrutiny and discussions back home. Renowned former cricketer Wasim Akram attributed the team’s lackluster performance to the struggles of the fast-bowling unit, while Mushtaq Ahmed expressed concerns about the spin department, questioning the absence of effective spinners. The cricketing fraternity now eagerly awaits the PCB’s decision on Morkel’s successor as the team gears up for the challenges that lie ahead, both on and off the field.