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Pakistan white-ball coach and former South Africa batter Gary Kirsten has decided to part ways with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Published: October 28, 2024 11:52 AM IST By Edited by ODI World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has decided to part ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The former South Africa batter has decided to step down as the coach of Pakistan’s white ball teams.
The ex-coach of Indian cricket team, who won the 2011 ODI World Cup title with MS Dhoni, had been appointed on a two-year contract by the PCB in April 2024 but the relationship has lasted barely six months. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo website, a rift has been developing between Pakistan’s current head coaches – Jason Gillespie (in Tests) and Kirsten (in ODIs and T20Is) since they were ‘stripped’ of selection authority by the PCB recently. Gillespie recently told the media in build-up to the Rawalpindi Test vs England, which they won by 9 wickets, that the Australian coach was now just a ‘match-day analyst’ and ‘it wasn’t what he signed up for’.
The website also reported that Kirsten was understood to be disappointed with the developments. “Part of the delay in announcing a squad and new limited-overs captain was down to animated discussions within the board, with Kirsten keen to have his input taken into consideration. Ultimately, though, when the new captain Mohammad Rizwan was announced at a press conference in Lahore, chairman Mohsin Naqvi was flanked only by Aaqib Javed, a member of the new selection committee, and the new captain and vice-captain Salman Agha.
Kirsten was not even in the country at the time,” the report read. : Gary Kirsten has stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball coach ahead of Australia tour [Via: ESPNCricinfo] — Sport360° (@Sport360) The coaches have felt sidelined by the rise in influence of the current selection committee. After Pakistan lost the first Test against England, a new selection panel – a third in three months – was announced.
Aaqib, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Hassan Cheema were on it, while the coaches and captain were taken off. Dar was considered the original architect of the idea behind preparing a recycled surface for the second Test in Multan, while Aaqib became the public face of the overhaul. It even led new white-ball captain Rizwan at one point to remark during the Test that Pakistan were now playing ‘Aaqib-ball’.
PCB had short-listed Kirsten and Gillespie among a list of high-profile applicants which included former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson and former Australia captain Daren Sammy. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on .
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