Darren Gough Takes Helm as Head Coach of Lahore Qalandars Ahead of Global Super League

Darren Gough has been appointed as the new head coach of Lahore Qalandars, with his first challenge set for the upcoming Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana, starting on November 26. This move is seen as a precursor to a more permanent position within the franchise, particularly for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) slated to commence in April 2025.

The Qalandars recently underwent a leadership change following the departure of Aaqib Javed, who had served as head coach and director of cricket operations for eight years. Javed stepped down to take on a new role with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a member of the selection committee for the national team. Under his guidance, Lahore Qalandars achieved notable success, clinching back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023. However, their performance in the recent season saw them finishing at the bottom of the league, prompting a need for a fresh approach ahead of the next season.

Gough, who retired in 2006 as England's leading ODI wicket-taker (a record he still holds, trailing only James Anderson), expressed his enthusiasm about the new role. "It's an absolute honour to have been asked by the Lahore Qalandars to be the head coach for the upcoming Global Super League in Guyana," he stated. He highlighted his previous engagements with the Qalandars in Lahore, where he contributed to their Player Development Programme (PDP), showcasing his commitment to fostering young talent.

Sameen Rana, co-owner of the Qalandars, emphasized that Gough's vision for player development aligns perfectly with the franchise's goals, describing the appointment as the beginning of a "new journey." The GSL will feature five teams, including the Qalandars, Hampshire Hawks from the T20 Blast, Rangpur Riders from the BPL, Victoria from Australia, and the host team, Guyana Amazon Warriors, culminating in a final on December 7.

Before joining the Qalandars, Gough held the position of managing director at Yorkshire, where he had been instrumental in launching a partnership with the Qalandars aimed at reducing barriers for aspiring cricketers, particularly in light of the racism allegations that impacted the club. His tenure at Yorkshire concluded in March 2024, and he previously served as England's bowling consultant in 2020.

With the GSL approaching, Gough's appointment marks a significant step for Lahore Qalandars as they aim to reclaim their position at the top of T20 cricket in Pakistan and beyond.