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Ajay Jadeja. (© Getty/AllSport)
Ajay Jadeja, the former Indian cricketer, responded positively when asked about the prospect of taking on a coaching role with the Pakistan team. Currently serving as the mentor for the Afghanistan national team, Jadeja expressed his willingness for the position.
During the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Jadeja played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s coaching staff, contributing significantly to the team’s performance. Both Jonathan Trott, the current head coach of Afghanistan, and team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised Jadeja for his substantial impact on Afghanistan’s successful World Cup campaign.
“I am ready. I shared my learnings with Afghans and I believe Pakistan were once like Afghanistan. You could say anything you wanted to in the face of your teammate,” the 52-year-old said during a conversation with Sports Tak.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, Afghanistan dispelled the notion of being underdogs, a perception they had in previous ICC Mega events with just one win in two prior editions. The recent tournament showcased their prowess as they secured an impressive four wins, securing a commendable sixth-place finish and earning a spot in the Champions Trophy in 2025. Their notable performances in the competition were against England and Pakistan.
Ajay Jadeja was part of the Indian cricket team in the ODI format from 1992 to 2000, featuring 196 ODIs. He occasionally captained the national team but faced a setback due to alleged involvement in match-fixing in 2000. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially imposed a life ban, later reducing it to 5 years. Meanwhile, on January 27, 2003, the Delhi court lifted his ban but he was unable to make a comeback to the national side.
Looking ahead, Afghanistan are scheduled to tour India for a three-match T20I series in January 2024. The series, commencing on January 11 and concluding on January 17, will feature matches in Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru, respectively.
