PSL – Pakistan News – Darren Gough appointed Lahore Qalandars head coach

Darren Gough has been appointed as the head coach of Lahore Qalandars. His first assignment with the franchise will be the Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana, which starts on November 26.

The appointment is understood as a prelude to a more permanent role in Qalandar’s equity competition: PSL. Aaqib Javed, who served as head coach and director of cricket operations for the Qalandars for eight years, stepped down last month to focus on a new role at the PCB with Pakistan cricket: he is now a member of the selection committee for the Pakistan men’s national team.

The Qalandars won back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023 before stumbling this year and finishing bottom. Aaqib’s departure left a vacancy at the franchise, one they want to ensure is filled well before the PSL begins in April next year. Gough, who retired in 2006 as England’s leading ODI wicket-taker (and is still No.2 on the list behind James Anderson), is believed to be keen on the role, with the GSL seen as a useful opportunity to allow him to get his feet under the table before a permanent decision is made.

“It is an absolute honor to have been asked by the Lahore Qalandars to be the head coach for the upcoming Global Super League in Guyana,” Gough said in a statement. “I am really excited about this opportunity because I have been fortunate enough to work with the Qalandars in Lahore on several occasions and assist with their PDP [player development programme].

“We know Lahore Qalandars is all about giving young players opportunities they’ve never had before – developing their skills and molding them into players who can go on to represent Qalandars and hopefully make Pakistan cricket proud.”

Gough most recently served as chief executive of his old club, Yorkshire, having been appointed in December 2021 following the racism allegations that rocked the club. He parted ways with Yorkshire in March this year. Before that, he had a stint as England’s bowling consultant in 2020. Not long after Gough joined Yorkshire in 2021, the club launched a partnership with the Qalandars with the aim of “nurturing talent [by] to reduce access barriers’ after the racism crisis.

Qalandars co-owner Sameen Rana said Gough’s vision is “seamlessly aligned with our commitment to player development”, referring to the appointment as the start of “a new journey”.

The GSL will be contested by five teams. The Qalandars will be joined by Hampshire Hawks from the T20 Blast, Rangpur Riders from the BPL, Victoria from Australia, as well as the hosts, the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The final will take place on December 7.

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