Shaun Tait Set to Return as Pakistan's Bowling Consultant, Say Sources
Former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has reached an agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board to return as the national team’s bowling consultant, sources told Geo News on Sunday. The PCB is expected to announce the appointment formally soon, with Tait likely to arrive in Pakistan early next week.
The 43-year-old will meet board officials on arrival to complete the remaining contractual formalities before taking charge of the pace attack. It will be his second stint with Pakistan, having served as the team’s full-time bowling coach from March 2022 to January 2023.
Shaun Tait: a familiar face for Pakistan’s quicks
The Shaun Tait PCB reunion makes sense for both sides. Tait took charge ahead of Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan in March 2022 on a one-year contract, and Pakistan reached the T20 World Cup final later that year with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah leading the attack. His contract was not renewed after organisational changes in the board at the end of the agreed period.
Tait knows the personnel and the conditions, which matters with a packed home schedule coming up. Pakistan host Sri Lanka in T20Is and Tests, followed by an ODI tri-series also involving England, and the board wants the fast-bowling unit settled for those assignments.
Why a consultancy role suits Tait
The former pacer most recently worked with Bangladesh’s fast bowlers before stepping down earlier this year. He had been open about finding the year-round demands of a full-time, all-format coaching job difficult to sustain.
“The full-time role of year-round red and white-ball cricket, my 12 months was enough and it’s time to just step back and give my family a little bit more time,” Tait said when leaving the Bangladesh role. The PCB has therefore approached him for a consultancy position rather than a permanent post, matching his preference for shorter, focused assignments.
As a player, Tait represented Australia in three Tests, 35 ODIs and 21 T20Is and was regarded among the quickest bowlers of his generation.
What comes next for Pakistan’s attack
The bowling consultant’s post opened up after Pakistan’s white-ball bowling coach Ashley Noffke departed, and the PCB had advertised the vacancy. Tait’s arrival gives the new-ball group an experienced voice who has worked with them before, at a time when Pakistan are trying to rebuild consistency across formats.
His first task will be getting the quicks ready for the Sri Lanka series, where home conditions will demand discipline with the new ball and smart use of reverse swing later in the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shaun Tait Pakistan’s new bowling coach?
Not exactly. Sources say he has agreed to join as bowling consultant, a consultancy role rather than a full-time, all-format coaching position.
When will Shaun Tait arrive in Pakistan?
He is expected to arrive early next week and will meet PCB officials to complete contractual formalities before formally taking charge.
Has Shaun Tait worked with Pakistan before?
Yes. He was Pakistan’s full-time bowling coach from March 2022 to January 2023, a stint that included the 2022 T20 World Cup final.
Why did Tait leave his last coaching job?
He stepped down as Bangladesh’s bowling coach earlier this year, saying the demands of a year-round, all-format role left too little time for his family.
