Essex’s Catherine Dalton has been appointed as fast bowling coach at Multan Sultans of the Pakistan Super League.
The trailblazing announcement makes Dalton the first female PSL coach and the first female fast bowling coach of any professional men’s team.
Dalton, 30, previously represented Ireland internationally in four ODIs and four international T20Is after being granted citizenship eight years ago.
She played nine matches for Essex Women in 2023, hitting a total of 253 runs, including a top score of 109 against Kent in the London Championship, at an average of 31.63.
“Having worked in Pakistan with some of the Multan Sultan players on two previous visits, I am really thrilled to be officially joining up with the franchise at the PSL,” said Dalton.
“It’s not lost on me the ground-breaking moment for a female fast bowling coach to be working in a major men’s T20 franchise. I am very humbled by the opportunity and cannot wait to hopefully help make a difference on multiple levels.”
“Catherine has been part of our player-development programme for almost five years now. I have seen how she has improved players first-hand,” added Sultans owner Ali Tareen, who also revealed he doubles up as her translator.
“I always knew she would become a fast-bowling coach at a high level, and I am so glad that her first opportunity [has come] at the Sultans.”
The next edition of the PSL, the ninth iteration in its history, will be held between 8th February and 24th March next year.
The Sultans, based in southern Punjab in central-eastern Pakistan, have previously been crowned champions of the tournament on one occasion, in 2021, and also finished as runners-up in 2022 and 2023.
