This was on the cards. Given how professional Gary Kirsten is and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) being the exact opposite, it took six months (April 28 to October 28) before the South African former cricketer resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball head. Although an official statement would come later, according to ESPNcricinfo, Kirsten wasn’t happy with his current role. The Protean coach claimed it “wasn’t what he signed up for”.
Kirsten vs PCB
Not just Kirsten, but even Jason Gillespie, the red-ball coach, isn’t pleased with the PCB. Both the foreign coaches have had their selection powers revoked, and while Gillespie hid his displeasure for the decision, Kirsten didn’t back down. He described it as being turned into a “match-day analyst”.
Kirsten wanted his voice to be heard when naming a new white-call captain after Babar Azam decided to step down. However, his inputs weren’t paid any heed, and Mohammad Rizwan was announced as captain with just Aaqib Javed, a member of PCB’s new selection committee was present. Kirsten wasn’t in Pakistan when Rizwan was named skipper, and given how things are ahead, he isn’t likely to return either.
Gary Kirsten’s tenure as Pakistan’s head coach
Kirsten joined the Pakistan white-ball team in May. However, things didn’t start well. First, he suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of England, which was followed by a humiliating loss to the USA at the 2024 T20 World Cup and a group-stage elimination. Although the defeats can’t be pinned on him, the start was rocky for the celebrated coach.
Unfortunately, Kirsten, who was appointed considering the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, didn’t coach Pakistan in a single ODI. November 4 would have been the first time in nearly a year that Pakistan would play a 50-over match, but Kirsten has already left.
Pakistan left stranded ahead of Champions Trophy
Hosting an ICC event after 28 years, Pakistan wanted the best, and that’s why they chose Kirsten over Daren Sammy and Shane Watson. He’d helped India win the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the PCB had hoped for something similar. But now, with less than 4 months left before the Champions Trophy kicks off, they don’t have a white-ball coach.
