Has Pakistan Appointed Shane McDermott as Their All-Format Fielding Coach?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shane McDermott brings significant expertise to Pakistan cricket.
- The appointment is seen as a strategic move ahead of the T20I series.
- McDermott has a rich coaching background with international teams.
- The Pakistan team is undergoing changes in leadership.
- Fans are hopeful for improved fielding standards.
New Delhi, July 4 (NationPress) - Pakistan has secured the services of esteemed Australian fielding expert Shane McDermott as their all-format fielding coach in preparation for their upcoming three-match T20I series in Bangladesh.
McDermott comes with high recommendations from Pakistan’s new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, and is expected to integrate with the team prior to the Bangladesh tour. An official announcement is anticipated later this week, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport.
The 44-year-old boasts a wealth of experience, holding a High Performance Level Three Coaching Certificate, and has collaborated with various international and domestic teams, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia, the Western Australia Cricket Association, and Cricket Tasmania.
From 2022 to 2023, McDermott was the assistant fielding coach for the Bangladesh national team but parted ways due to differences with then-head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. Prior to this, he spent three years with Sri Lanka’s senior men’s team as their fielding coach and also led the Sri Lanka A team during his tenure.
Following his time in Bangladesh, McDermott joined Afghanistan’s coaching staff, where he received significant acclaim for his contribution to the team's remarkable journey to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Earlier in his career, from 2012 to 2019, he undertook various roles at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Centre, including interim assistant/fielding coach and interim analyst and fielding coach for the Australia A team.
Pakistan is gearing up for a packed schedule beginning with the Bangladesh tour, followed by a five-match T20I series in the West Indies.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting head coach for the Test team. The board is also expected to appoint Salman Agha as the all-format captain, replacing Shan Masood (Tests) and Mohammad Rizwan (ODIs) in leadership positions.