In a shocking move, Gary Kirsten has resigned as head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams barely six months after his appointment. He Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) He had signed Gary Kirsten on a two-year deal in April 2024, but the former Indian coach suddenly decided to part ways with Pakistan.
Kirsten has resigned as white-ball head coach with immediate effect just a week before Pakistan’s important tour of Australia, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is starting November 4 and then travel to Zimbabwe.
PCB accepts Gary Kirsten’s resignation just days before Australian tour
It’s a big setback for him. Pakistan cricket teamBut to make it even more surprising, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly accepted Gary Kirsten’s resignation, which is a clear indication that there has been a rift. The PCB is said to have convinced their Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, to take over as head coach for the upcoming tour of Australia.
A senior Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq, claimed that the board accepted Kirsten’s resignation and handed over the responsibility of guiding the Pakistan team on the upcoming tour of Australia. He posted on X: “Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan team on the tour of Australia; “PCB accepted the resignation of Gary Kirsten.”
Jason Gillespie to coach Pakistan team on tour of Australia, PCB accepts Gary Kirsten’s resignation.
— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 28, 2024
PCB confirms accepting the resignation of Gary Kirsten and the appointment of Jason Gillespie
Later, the PCB also confirmed that they had accepted Kirsten’s resignation as head coach of the white team. The board also announced the appointment of Jason Gillespie as interim white-ball coach only for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Australia next month.
The PCB said in an official statement: “The Pakistan Cricket Board announced today that Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on the white-ball tour of Australia next month after Gary Kirsten tendered his resignation, which was accepted.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced that Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on the white-ball tour of Australia next month after Gary Kirsten tendered his resignation, which was accepted.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2024
Meanwhile, the rift is said to have begun when the board of directors decided not to give any power to coaches in the selection process, and Gary did not look favorably on this strategy. The board of directors has entrusted all responsibility for team selection to a newly formed selection committee.
Jason Gillespie also expressed his surprise and disappointment at this change. The former Australian pacer revealed he now felt demoted to the role of “match day analyst”, far from the extensive coaching responsibilities he had envisaged upon taking up the role.
The Pakistan selectors have not sought any advice from Kirsten regarding the white-ball teams and the selection of the new captain!
On the other hand, Kirsten remained publicly silent, but insiders claimed that he was equally dismayed by the board’s recent actions. The delay in finalizing the squad for the upcoming tours and appointing a new limited-overs captain is said to have been due to intense discussions within the board. Kirsten hoped to have her words in these important decisions.
And when the board announced Mohammed Rizwan as the new captain at a press conference in Lahore, Kirsten was not there. The announcement was made by PCB president Mohsin Naqvi, coach Aaqib Javed and newly appointed vice-captain Salman Agha. This disheartened the South African legend and he suddenly resigned from his position.