Watson opts IPL commentary over Pakistan coaching

Australia great Shane Watson has decided against accepting Pakistan Cricket Board’s coaching offer and opted to honour his Indian Premier League commentary contract, ESPNCricinfo reported Saturday.  

The two-time World Cup winner was favourite to land the Pakistan coaching job after a massive $2 million per year offer from PCB.

However, after the elimination of Quetta Gladiators, the franchises he was coaching in the HBL Pakistan Super League, Watson has departed for Australia.

According to the publication, he had seriously considered the offer after thoroughly enjoying his time in Pakistan and was excited by the prospect of working with Pakistan’s players.

But Watson has decided to honour his current coaching and commentary commitments for the time being.

He has already signed two contracts on the table commentary at the IPL and a head coaching role in Major League Cricket with San Francisco Unicorns.

A full-time position with Pakistan would have seen him assume charge with immediate effect ahead of Pakistan’s next limited-overs series against New Zealand at home in April.

His decision means that PCB are in tough spot to search a head coach ahead for Pakistan team ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Pakistan are also due to play T20Is against England in May ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.

Watson was appointed head coach of Quetta Gladiators late last year. He won a title with Gladiators as a player in 2019.