Anwar Ali Appointed Head Coach of Chicago Kingsmen in Minor League Cricket

CHICAGO: Former Pakistan all-rounder Anwar Ali has taken a major step into coaching after being appointed head coach of the Chicago Kingsmen in the United States’ Minor League Cricket.

The 38-year-old former Pakistan international has joined the Chicago-based franchise ahead of the 2026 Minor League Cricket season, marking a new chapter in a career that has included international and domestic cricket.

The 2026 Minor League Cricket season is scheduled to begin on September 17, with a condensed 62-match competition planned across eight venues in the United States.

Anwar brings extensive playing experience to his new coaching role. He represented Pakistan in both ODIs and T20Is and was known for his right-arm medium-fast bowling and useful contributions with the bat.

During his international career, Anwar played 22 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Pakistan. He also featured for a number of domestic and overseas T20 teams, including the Chicago Kingsmen, giving him valuable experience of franchise cricket.

His move into coaching provides an opportunity to pass on his experience to younger players competing in the rapidly developing American cricket system.

Minor League Cricket has become an important part of the United States’ professional cricket structure, providing a platform for domestic and overseas players while contributing to the development of the sport ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

For the Chicago Kingsmen, the appointment of a former Pakistan international brings experience of high-level limited-overs cricket to the team’s preparations.

Anwar’s familiarity with the franchise is also not new. He previously represented the Chicago Kingsmen in Minor League Cricket, including during their 2024 campaign.

The coaching opportunity marks a significant transition for the former Pakistan cricketer, who can now focus on developing emerging players and applying his playing experience from the other side of the boundary.

With the new Minor League Cricket season beginning on September 17, Anwar Ali will look to make his mark as a coach while helping Chicago Kingsmen compete in an increasingly competitive American cricket environment.