Ashley Noffke to step down as Pakistan bowling coach after Asian Games

Former Australia allrounder Ashley Noffke is set to leave his position as the Pakistan bowling coach after the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition in Japan to join the Netherlands men's team as head coach for two years. 

Noffke’s contract with Pakistan was set to expire in June 2027, but his stint comes to an end in less than 18 months, having joined them in May 2025 before the T20I series against Bangladesh. 

He will succeed Ryan Cook as Netherlands’ head coach and will remain under contract until the end of 2028. During his time at the helm, Noffke will be overseeing the Netherlands’ qualification to the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup.

He leaves Pakistan’s ever-changing support staff after Shane McDermott also resigned from his position as fielding coach in July this year to join the Afghanistan set-up.

Earlier, Pakistan's white-ball batting coach Hanif Malik also left his position after the ODI series against Australia, along with their long-serving physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon.  

Noffke's coaching record

"I'm looking forward to working with the Dutch men's team, which has become a fixture at the T20 World Cups. This is a talented, motivated group, and my goal is to help continue that development and move the programme forward. My approach starts with connection, before the tactic or the plan. I can't wait to get started,” said Noffke in a release issued by the Netherlands board.

Noffke comes in with a strong track record as a coach, having won titles with Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, London Spirit in the Hundred and Queensland Fire in the WNCL (Australia). He also led the Otago men's programme in New Zealand and was with UP Warriorz in the WPL before joining the Pakistan set-up.