Former Australia batsman Dean Jones on Monday confirmed his signing as the head coach for Islamabad franchise in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The 54-year-old posted a video on his official Facebook account to let his followers know about his PSL signing.
Jones’ signing for Islamabad United came hours after Peshawar became the first PSL franchise to launch its logo and team name.
“I’ve just signed as the head coach for the Islamabad United team and I look forward to seeing the draft and picking some fantastic players for our team,” Jones, said in a video message.
Jones has a good rapport with the Pakistan players, and in 2010 the former top-order batsman was in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a role as a foreign consultant.
He played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs and is considered one of the sharpest cricketing minds in Australia.
On Sunday, Peshawar team owner Javed Afridi also unveiled a star-studded coaching panel that will lead his team’s campaign in the first edition of the most lucrative domestic tournament in the country’s history.
Former England head coach Andy Flower, former head coach of the National Cricket Academy Mohammad Akram, coach of Peshawar’s two time national T20 team Abdur Rehman and Pakistan team trainer Grant Luden were inducted into Peshawar Zalmi’s coaching staff.
For the country’s financial capital Karachi, former South Africa and Australia coach, Mickey Arthur, was named the head coach, team owner Salman Iqbal announced two days ago.
Iqbal, the CEO of the ARY Group, who purchased the Karachi franchise for a reported amount of $26 million, picked former leg-spin great Mushtaq Ahmed as Arthur’s deputy.
Meanwhile, former England coach Andy Flower has been signed on as the batting consultant and mentor of the Peshawar franchise in the upcoming Pakistan Super League.
And if the Peshawar franchise gun for England’s discarded batsman Kevin Pietersen in the players draft this month it could be the first reunion between the two since Flower had to step down as head coach after the Ashes 2013/14.
Pietersen has already made his intention of participation in the PSL clear via a video message and is said to be among a top favourite for the five franchises in the T20 competition.
The PSL is due to be held in Dubai and Sharjah in February and the Peshawar franchise has announced former Pakistan bowling coach Muhammad Akram as their head coach and Flower as their batting consultant and mentor.
Pietersen was unceremoniously dumped by the England and Sales Cricket Board and team management after the Ashes post a public fallout particularly with Flower and has since said that: “Flower had it in for me since he took over.”
The discarded England batsman alongside West Indian Chris Gayle and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi are among the top draw in the PSL players draft due to be held later this month.
