Gary Kirsten’s brief stint as Pakistan’s white-ball head concludes suddenly, merely a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new full-time white-ball captain and introduced new central contracts. Although the PCB has yet to issue an official statement, reports indicate that Kirsten will not accompany the squad on their forthcoming tour of Australia and Zimbabwe.
The report reveals significant disagreements between Gary Kirsten and the Pakistan players. Kirsten had proposed to the PCB that David Reid be appointed as the High-Performance Coach, but the PCB dismissed his request, suggesting other candidates instead. This decision reportedly did not sit well with the South African coach.
Kirsten’s tenure, which commenced in mid-May after his time with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, has been full of obstacles. Men in Green suffered a series defeat to England under his leadership and faced difficulties in the recent T20 World Cup, including losses to the United States and India, which led to their early exit from the tournament.
This sudden exile presents challenges for the PCB, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host for the first time in over two decades, just four months away. The board now faces the urgent task of appointing a new head coach for the white-ball team before this critical tournament.
PCB announces Jason Gillespie as their white-ball coach
Jason Gillespie has been named the new head coach of Pakistan’s men’s white-ball cricket team, replacing Gary Kirsten. This appointment comes just ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Australia, set to begin on November 4.
Gillespie, previously Pakistan’s head coach for the red-ball format, will now take on responsibilities for the ODI and T20I series against Australia. This series, kicking off on November 4, promises high-stakes action as both teams look to gain form ahead of next year’s ICC World T20.
The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2024
Reports indicate that the coaches have felt progressively sidelined as Pakistan’s selection committee has gained more influence. After Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England, the PCB introduced its third selection panel in as many months, comprising Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema, notably excluding both the coaches and captain from the selection process.
As Gillespie takes on the role of Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, there’s considerable interest in how his coaching philosophy and strategies might influence the team. Renowned for his disciplined approach and extensive experience across leagues and formats, Gillespie possesses a deep understanding of the game and a talent for nurturing young players. His time as head coach in the Big Bash League equips him with valuable insights into the squad’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
