Fielding Coach Shake-Up: Masroor Out, Shane McDermott In as Pakistan Eyes Asia Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to retain Mohammad Masroor as the national team’s fielding coach, sources confirmed. Masroor’s contract was series-based, and the decision comes as PCB restructures its coaching staff ahead of a packed cricketing calendar.

Masroor had worked extensively with youth setups and was seen as a modern coach who could uplift Pakistan’s long-struggling fielding standards. Despite his efforts, Pakistan continued to suffer from costly fielding lapses in major tournaments like the 2019 World Cup, T20 World Cups, and Asia Cups.

In his place, the PCB has appointed Australian Shane McDermott, a seasoned fielding coach with experience working with teams like Australia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. McDermott is expected to bring discipline and structure as Pakistan prepares for high-pressure encounters in the upcoming Asia Cup in India.

Additionally, Grant Luden returns as the Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Umar Gul has been appointed head coach of Pakistan Shaheens to nurture upcoming talent.

The changes, though significant, raise concerns about team stability so close to a major tournament. With Indian grounds offering fast outfields, fielding may become a decisive factor—making the role of a new fielding coach more crucial than ever.