The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed the buzz around the news of David Hemp’s exit. It is now in clear words that Pakistan’s women’s team head coach, David Hemp has informed the team that he’ll not be seeking a contract extension when his 2-year contract comes to an end this October.
David Hemp in his statement has said, “I have enjoyed living in Pakistan and working with the women cricketers, but it has also been difficult on me and my young family as I have been unable to spend enough time with them like any other father. After consulting my family, I have conveyed this difficult decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has very graciously understood my situation and accepted my decision.”
Pakistan women’s team finished at the bottom of the table in the 50-over World Cup that was played early this year in New Zealand. The tournament had Pakistan with only a win in the tournament that’d come against West Indies. Pakistan in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games remained winless throughout the 3-game league stage and failed to advance further. Performances from Pakistan at World Stages have been disappointing, but there also shouldn’t be any doubt about the fact that the team has worked very hard on every occasion and on most stages appeared as the best-prepared team as pre-series camp became a regular feature for the team ahead of every series and tournament.
David Hemp informed the Pakistan women’s team that he will not be seeking a new contract, leading them to search for a replacement.#CricketTwitter #TeamPakistan pic.twitter.com/yPP1Vdwnph
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 24, 2022
David Hemp further touched on the same stating, “It has been incredibly enjoyable and satisfying working with the girls. Although results in the international arena may not truly reflect the hard work and effort that went into the planning and preparations, I am satisfied that I gave my very best and the girls equally responded.”
The 20-year-old, all-rounder, Fatima Sana has been impressive in her short international career and has turned out to be a highlight of the Pakistan women’s team. David Hemp on Fatima shared, “I was especially pleased with the emergence of Fatima Sana, who won the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2021 award and became the first Pakistan women cricketer to win the ICC Cricketer of the Month award and displayed her excellent talent in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games. I am optimistic we will see many more young women cricketers from domestic competitions and talent hunt programmes to enter the Pakistan framework and contribute in the teams’ future achievements.”
Hemp concluded, “I want to thank everyone at the Pakistan Cricket Board, women’s wing and the entire side who not only backed and supported me but also made my stay memorable and comfortable. I will remain a big fan of Pakistan women’s cricket, will continue to follow their progress with excitement and remain confident that better results and successes await them down the road.”
PCB’s Head of Women’s Wing, Tania Mallick said, “It is sad to lose someone of David’s calibre, enthusiasm and strong work ethics, but at the same, we also understand and accept that family has to come first. The PCB thanks David for all his efforts and contributions, and wishes him best of luck in his future endeavours.”
David Hemp’s replacement isn’t yet known but is likely to be announced soon. A development more that’s making headlines over the last few days has been around the Nida Dar likely to replace Bismah Maroof as the team’s captain and now with David Hemp’s exit, it simply could be the right for a complete change in the regime as Pakistan head towards building a better international team.
Reportedly the Asia Cup is to take place early in October in Bangladesh so that will be Pakistan’s next assignment and the vacant positions are likely to have people in place before Pakistan begin their preparations for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup.
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