Gary Kirsten's Exit from Pakistan Coaching Role Sparks Controversy
"The story began when Mohammad Rizwan was announced as the new white-ball captain after Babar Azam stepped down," Basit explained. "Kirsten wanted a different captain and had suggested another player to take charge, but both are currently out of the team. He believed he could exert full authority, but he seems unaware that in Pakistan, the PCB chairman can be changed overnight."
The recent resignation of Gary Kirsten as Pakistan's men's white-ball head coach has ignited discussions regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its decision-making processes. Following Pakistan's impressive 2-1 series win against England, the unexpected news of Kirsten's departure shocked the cricketing community, especially given the team's recent success.
Kirsten, a celebrated figure in cricket who famously guided India to victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup, was appointed by the PCB in April 2024. However, his tenure was marred by Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
The PCB recently announced Rizwan's appointment as captain, leading to speculation about internal disagreements within the coaching staff. Basit accused the PCB of sidelining anyone who raises concerns about its operations, stating, "Mohsin Naqvi has come with a lot of power. Coaches, selectors, and managers are being removed. It used to be just the chairman who was changed from time to time, but now anyone who raises their voice will be sidelined."
In the wake of Kirsten's departure, the PCB has appointed Test coach Jason Gillespie as the interim head coach for the upcoming tour of Australia, which begins on November 4. This tour will include three ODIs and three T20Is. Gillespie, who took over as red-ball coach alongside Kirsten's appointment, recently celebrated a historic Test series victory against England, marking Pakistan's first Test win at home since 2021.
As Pakistan cricket faces uncertainty regarding its leadership and coaching direction, the fallout from Kirsten's resignation highlights broader issues within the PCB, raising questions about governance and decision-making in a cricketing landscape that is often fraught with challenges.
