Former England international Owais Shah has been appointed head coach of Milan Icons for the upcoming Italia T10 League, the franchise announced on Thursday.
Shah, who represented England across international formats, brings extensive playing experience to the franchise as it prepares for the inaugural edition of the tournament.
The appointment also marks his return to Italian cricket, having previously been associated with the country's cricketing setup.
Shah excited about new role
Expressing his enthusiasm over the appointment, Shah said he was looking forward to working with Milan Icons and returning to a cricketing environment with which he was already familiar.
"Really excited to lead the team in the first T10 tournament in Italy. I was involved in Italian cricket before, and now it's a great opportunity to be involved again," Shah said.
His appointment is expected to strengthen the franchise's coaching setup as Milan Icons prepare to compete in the short-format tournament.
Focus on building competitive squad
With the Italia T10 League introducing a new platform for competitive cricket in the country, Shah will be tasked with preparing Milan Icons for the demands of the fast-paced format.
The franchise will look to draw on his international experience and understanding of the game as it develops its squad and playing strategy.
Beyond the immediate competition, Shah's association with Milan Icons is also aimed at contributing to the continued development of cricket in Italy.
The former England batter's return to the Italian cricket setup comes as the franchise prepares to make its mark in the tournament's inaugural edition.