Lahore, Nov 13: Former South African pacer Morne Morkel on Monday resigned as the Pakistan cricket team’s bowling coach two days after the team’s elimination from the World Cup in India.
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan lost five of the nine matches in the ODI showpiece event, losing the last match to England by 93 runs in Kolkata.
Morkel had joined the team on a six-month contract in June this year after finishing his assignment with IPL side Lucknow Super Giants.
His first assignment with the Pakistan team was its tour of Sri Lanka for a two-Test series.
“Pakistan Cricket Board will announce his replacement in due course. Pakistan’s next assignment is a three-match Test series against Australia scheduled to take place from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024, in Australia,” the PCB said in a statement on Monday.
Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals after finishing fifth, which led to several former cricketers demanding wholesale changes in the side, including the removal of Babbar Azam as skipper.
Pakistan suffered losses against India, Australia, South Africa, England and a shock defeat at the hands of Afghanistan. After retiring from international cricket in 2018, Morkel pursued a coaching career. He was appointed as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national cricket team in 2019. He resigned from the position in November 2023.
Morkel is also involved in various other cricket-related ventures. He is a commentator for SuperSport and Fox Cricket and is a brand ambassador for several cricket-related companies. He is also a co-founder of the Morne Morkel Cricket Academy, which provides cricket coaching and development opportunities for young players.
Morkel’s breakthrough came in the 2006-07 season when he impressed with his performances for Eastern Province and was selected for the South African A side against the touring Indian team. His impressive haul of 4 wickets for 74 runs on a flat pitch in Potchefstroom earned him a Test debut against India in Durban in 2006.
Morkel quickly established himself as a key member of the South African bowling attack, forming a formidable partnership with Dale Steyn. His height, which allowed him to generate steep bounce and awkward angles, made him a challenging proposition for batsmen. He also possessed a sharp inswinger and could swing the ball both ways, making him difficult to read.
Morkel went on to play 86 Test matches for South Africa, taking 309 wickets at an average of 23.57.
He also represented South Africa in 117 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 198 wickets at an average of 22.59, and 44 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), taking 48 wickets at an average of 20.83.
Morné Morkel is a respected figure in the world of cricket, recognized for his exceptional bowling skills, his contributions to South African cricket, and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of cricketers. (Agencies)
