KEY POINTS
- New PSL franchise Hyderabad appoints Bradburn as fielding coach and White as assistant.
- They join Head Coach Jason Gillespie to form seasoned international coaching team.
LAHORE: New Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, Hyderabad, has announced the appointment of former Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn as its fielding coach and Craig White as assistant coach for the upcoming 11th season, commencing March 26.
The franchise, officially named the Hyderabad Kingsmen, made the announcement on its social media platform, stating: “Hyderabad welcomes Grant Bradburn as Fielding Coach.”
Coaching team takes Shape
This appointment is part of a strategic build-up for the debutant franchise. Earlier yesterday, the team officially named former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as its head coach.
Furthermore, the franchise revealed that former England all-rounder Craig White will serve as the assistant coach, completing a seasoned international coaching trio.
Wealth of experience
Craig White brings a deep well of experience from English cricket structures to the PSL.
His background includes extensive work within English county cricket, most notably with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, where he has held various coaching and specialist roles.
Strategy meets skills ⚡
Hyderabad welcomes Craig White as Assistant Coach for #HBLPSL 🤝
He brings years of cricket knowledge and tactical insight. Excited to see his expertise in action! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dj5dNRPXtQ
— Kingsmen Cricket (@KingsmenCricket) January 29, 2026
Furthermore, White has valuable insight from the international stage, having held positions within the England national team setup across different capacities.
Bradburn’s deep Pakistan roots
Grant Bradburn, 57, brings extensive experience of Pakistan cricket.
He was appointed head coach of the Pakistan national men’s team in 2023 after a thorough recruitment process during Najam Sethi’s tenure as PCB Chairman.
Leveling up every move 🔥
Hyderabad welcomes Grant Bradburn as Fielding Coach! 🙌
From drills to practice, he brings world-class experience to every corner of the field ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6KlAkANAGK
— Kingsmen Cricket (@KingsmenCricket) January 29, 2026
His history with Pakistani cricket runs deep. He first served as the national team’s fielding coach from 2018 to 2020, before moving to the National Cricket Academy to focus on coach development.
The former New Zealand cricketer also previously headed the Scotland men’s national team.
Bradburn resigned from his role with the Pakistan national side in 2024, alongside then-team director Mickey Arthur and batting coach Andrew Puttick.
Gillespie’s recent PCB stint
Head coach Jason Gillespie, 50, also has recent history with the PCB.
He was appointed head coach of Pakistan’s Test squad in April 2024, working alongside white-ball coach Gary Kirsten in a split-coaching model.
Gillespie resigned ahead of Pakistan’s Test series in South Africa in December 2024, amid reported challenges in his relationship with the board and team management alignment.
PSL 11: A new era of expansion
The 11th edition of the PSL marks a significant expansion, growing from six to eight teams. Hyderabad and Sialkot are the two new franchises entering the competition.
The Hyderabad franchise was secured by owner Fawad Sarwar with a winning bid of Rs 1.75 billion ($6.25 million) in the recent auction.
Auction Preparations Underway
The PCB has confirmed the PSL 11 Player Auction will be held on February 11.
In preparation, an auction workshop was recently chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The session was attended by representatives from all eight franchises, PSL officials, and members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, along with other capped players.
Key discussions focused on base prices, team budgets, squad compositions, player retention policies, and direct signing procedures.
The upcoming season promises a fresh dynamic with new teams and high-profile coaching appointments, setting the stage for a highly competitive tournament.
