Gary Kirsten resigns as Pakistan coach: Theories and reactions over latest turmoil in Pakistan cricket
Former South African captain Gary Kirsten has resigned as the head coach of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams with immediate effect. The 56-year-old was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a two-year contract in April this year. However, he has quit ahead of Pakistan's ODI series in Australia.
The PCB, through an official statement on Monday, October 28, confirmed that Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan team on the white-ball tour of Australia and added that Kirsten's resignation has been accepted. Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is in Australia from November 3 to November 17.
Kirsten, the coach when India won the ODI World Cup under MS Dhoni's captaincy in 2011, had a tough time during his short stint with Pakistan. His first major assignment was the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan had a disastrous tournament and were knocked out after losses to the USA and India. Babar Azam also quit as white-ball captain for the second time in a few months.
Gary Kirsten was disappointed with recent developments in Pakistan cricket: Reports
While Kirsten has maintained a dignified silence over his exit as Pakistan coach, several reports have claimed he was unhappy with the recent developments in Pakistan cricket. PCB's decision to strip the coaches of selection powers and give the authority of the same exclusively to the selection committee did not go down well with the Proteas batting legend.
"There had been a rift developing between Pakistan's newly-appointed coaches, Kirsten and [Jason] Gillespie, and the PCB since the board decided to strip them of selection powers, with that authority exclusively the preserve of a selection committee they would no longer be a part of," a report in ESPNcricinfo stated.
After Pakistan lost the first Test to England, a new selection panel came in, comprising Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema. The report further added that when keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was announced as Pakistan's new white-ball captain at a press conference in Lahore, Kirsten was not even in the country.
Earlier, Pakistan's Test head coach Gillespie made no effort to hide his disappointment at the surprising turn of events in the build-up to the third Test against England in Rawalpindi. Asked about selection, he replied that he is now just a 'match-day analyst'. It remains to be seen whether Gillespie will continue in his 'new' role or take a similar decision to Kirsten.
Cricket fraternity blasts PCB over Gary Kirsten fiasco
Several members from the cricket fraternity have lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board over the sudden exit of Kirsten, just six months after he was appointed as white-ball head coach amid high expectations. Below are some expert reactions to the latest controversy in Pakistan cricket.
"Another day, another humiliation for PCB management. Empty promises and lies don’t go well with everyone. We must stick to our words if we want to survive in modern-day cricket!" Shehzad wrote, reflecting widespread concerns about the board’s instability." - Ahmed Shehzad on X
"The story started when Mohammad Rizwan was named Pakistan's new white-ball captain. Kirsten wanted a different captain and demanded another player in the team. Coincidently, both of them are not in the team. He was thinking that maybe he could have full authority. However, he doesn't know that in Pakistan, even the PCB chairman can get changed overnight." - Basit Ali on YouTube
"How can Pakistan Cricket lose Gary Kirsten’s with his resumè in coaching? One step forward the last few weeks and two steps back today! Stop doing it to yourselves. Too much talent to keep doing this kind of stuff," Kevin Pietersen wrote on X.
"It's unfortunate to see the ODI team without top Coach Gary Kirsten and impact player Fakhar Zaman. Sad to see the inconsistent decision-making regarding leadership and poor treatment of players when they speak up. Big blows before Champions Trophy" - Sana Mir on X
Aaqib Javed, Saqlain Mushtaq in the fray to replace Gary Kirsten: Reports
As per a report in the news agency PTI, senior selector Aaqib Javed and former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are in the fray to replace Kirsten as Pakistan's new white-ball coach.
While Gillespie has agreed to coach the team for the white-ball tour of Australia, the same is being seen more as a stop-gap arrangement.
"The situation now is that the PCB has to appoint a new white ball coach given the number of white ball commitments of the national team coming up and leading up to the Champions Trophy early next year. One option is to let assistant coach Azhar Mahmood continue as interim head coach but Aaqib or Saqlain could also land the job," PTI quoted a source as saying.
Saqlain has been Pakistan's head coach in the recent past but was replaced by Mickey Arthur last year when Najam Sethi was in charge as PCB chief.