Photo Credit: Twitter Photo of @YasArafat12
Yasir Arafat, the former Pakistan all-rounder, has been appointed as the bowling consultant for the South Africa men’s cricket team ahead of the tri-nation ODI series against hosts Pakistan and New Zealand. Arafat, who has represented Pakistan in three Tests, 11 ODIs, and 13 T20Is, has already joined the Proteas for their training session in preparation for their series opener against New Zealand on February 10.
Arafat brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked with several high-profile teams. He is the first Pakistani cricketer to complete an ECB Level 4 coaching course from Loughborough University. His coaching experience includes stints with county teams such as Sussex and Surrey, as well as the Perth Scorchers in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). He has also served as Pakistan’s High-Performance Coach and as the bowling coach for the Hong Kong national team.
Reacting to his appointment, Arafat expressed excitement about working with an established team like South Africa and emphasized his familiarity with local conditions as a key factor in his selection. “It is a good opportunity for me to work with the South Africa team. I’ve been given the role because of my familiarity with the conditions here,” he said.
Despite the absence of senior players due to T20 leagues and injuries, Arafat remains optimistic about the potential of the younger players. “Not many players were available due to T20 league and injuries but this is a good opportunity for young players,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges posed by the lack of experienced players. He added, “Unavailability of experienced players makes a difference but youngsters are also talented.”
Arafat concluded by highlighting the importance of the tri-nation ODI series in preparing for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, calling it a valuable opportunity for the team to get ready for the upcoming global tournament.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
