Gary Kirsten "Didn't Want Rizwan As Captain": Big Revelation From Pakistan Coach's Exit

In a significant development within Pakistan cricket, former cricketer Basit Ali has revealed that Gary Kirsten, the recently resigned T20I and ODI coach, was not pleased with Mohammad Rizwan's appointment as the white-ball captain. According to Ali, Kirsten had a different candidate in mind to lead the team, which contributed to the upheaval in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Recent days have seen a whirlwind of changes in the PCB, beginning with Rizwan being named captain following the resignation of Babar Azam from the role. This was swiftly followed by Kirsten stepping down from his coaching position, despite having only a six-month tenure that did not see him manage the team in a single ODI match.

In a YouTube discussion, Ali stated, "It all started when Rizwan was made captain. Kirsten wanted a different player to lead, someone who wasn't in the current side. He thought he had full authority, but he doesn't realize that in our country, the PCB chairman can change overnight."

The PCB made the announcement of Rizwan's captaincy as they prepared for upcoming series against Australia and Zimbabwe. Alongside Rizwan, Salam Ali Agha was appointed as the vice-captain for the tours.

Kirsten's departure from the coaching role followed a disappointing campaign for Pakistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 held in the West Indies and USA, where the team exited in the group stage after defeats to both India and the USA. His primary responsibility had been preparing the team for this tournament, but the early exit has led to questions about the direction of the team and the decision-making processes within the PCB.

With Kirsten's resignation and the swift changes in leadership, the future of Pakistan cricket remains uncertain as they look to rebuild and regroup under new leadership.