Mark Coles. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Mark Coles has stepped down as the Pakistan women’s team head coach due to personal issues, as was confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The New Zealand cricket coach’s resignation ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming historic white-ball series against South Africa, which is set to begin from September 1 at home.
On a trial basis, the New Zealand cricket coach was appointed head coach of the Pakistan women’s cricket team in 2017. The agreement was valid until the conclusion of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. However, he resigned from his post in 2019 due to family reasons.
He was named head coach of Scotland women’s national cricket team in 2021. Scotland won the 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier under his leadership, allowing them to qualify for the 2022 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier but failing to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Coles announced his resignation as Scotland’s head coach in January 2022. He was re-appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s team on a two-year deal in April 2023.
“The PCB would like to extend its gratitude to Mark Coles for his brief stint with the women’s side and wishes him well in his future endeavors. The replacement of Mark Coles will be announced in due course,” PCB said in a statement.
Pakistan Women’s to host South Africa for the first time
Pakistan women are set to host South Africa for the first time to kick-start their international cricket season in 2023-24. The series will be contested in Karachi from September 1 to September 14, which includes three T20Is and three ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 ODIs.
Pakistan’s home series against South Africa is one of five ICC Women’s Championship series that the country will play during the 2023-24 season. The Women in Green will tour Bangladesh in October, followed by a trip to New Zealand in November 2023. Additionally, Pakistan will play 15 ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and 17 T20Is over the course of one year.