Pakistan national cricket team white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has flown back home and will enjoy some free time. According to PTI reports, it is learned that Kirsten will now join the team directly in Australia for the upcoming white-ball games.
This comes as a big surprise because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in the middle of a huge headache. Babar Azam, a few days ago, resigned as captain of the team, and this leaves the Gary Kirsten-led management and the board of directors in a dilemma over who to appoint as the next captain.
PCB has given full authority of the white-ball team to Gary Kirsten, and with him not there, especially with a new captain to be announced, many are wondering if the head coach will return home.
Kirsten, since the last few months, has been actively involved in Pakistan Cricket. He was in Lahore and Faisalabad, watching the Champions Cup, and also attended several meetings with the selectors and board officials about the state of Pakistan cricket.
Gary Kirsten to join Pakistan team in Melbourne
However, the source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Kirsten was available to the team and the board whenever her opinion was required or she wanted to speak to the selectors or players. It will also be part of the captaincy discussion.
The source close to PCB also confirmed that Kirsten will join the Pakistan team directly in Melbourne on October 29 for the white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Speaking to PTI, he explained:
“Kirsten will join the Pakistan team directly in Melbourne on October 29 for the white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
The Pakistan national cricket team will embark on a hectic tour in the future. They will play 18 matches, of which 9 will be ODIs and 9 will be T20Is, against three teams in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa in November-December. The ODIs will also serve as a great preparation for Champions Trophy 2025.
Gary Kirsten and even Jason Gillespie have had conversations with other people on the selection committee about the captaincy issue – Reports
The source further stated that both Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have had conversations with the selection committee and that the new captain of the white team will be announced, taking into account the future. He added:
“Gary Kirsten and even Jason Gillespie have had conversations with other people on the selection committee about the captaincy issue, but the decision will be made taking into account the future and also the recent behavior and performances of potential candidates.”
Mohammad Rizwan likely to be Pakistan’s new white-ball captain
With Babar Azam stepping down as captain of the white-ball team, there have been several reports suggesting that Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi are the frontrunners to take over the role. The decision is likely to be announced soon.
The source concluded by saying that Rizwan could become Pakistan’s white-ball captain with a younger player as a backup so that the team management can manage his workload.