"Not going to be an easy job for Pakistan to hire international talent" - Ramiz Raja on Gary Kirsten's departure ahead of AUS vs PAK 2024 ODI series
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja believes Pakistan will struggle to attract international talent moving forward after Gary Kirsten's unceremonious exit as their white-ball coach. The former cricketer remains doubtful as to whether Kirsten was given the role clarity when appointed as a coach.
On Monday, October 28, the 56-year-old announced his resignation as the coach of the white-ball team due to an alleged rift with the PCB. The former South African opener had assumed the role only six months prior to quitting and coached Pakistan in two series.
During a media interaction ahead of the Australia tour, Ramiz said the kind of backlash PCB has been facing with Kirsten resigning will be hard to deal with. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he said:
"When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash that you will probably get from Gary Kirsten's resignation...it's not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent.
"What you need to do is to make sure that once you involve and engage somebody, you've got to give them clarity regarding the role. I don't know whether that clarity was given to Gary Kirsten or how he wanted to get Pakistan into this one-day phase, what he wanted to achieve. I'm not privy to that."
With Kirsten resigning, the PCB has announced Jason Gillespie as their white-ball coach in the interim role. The latter will take over the role during the Australia tour. Pakistan will face Australia in three ODIs as many T20Is, starting on November 4.
"I just hope Rizwan gets his playing XI that he feels comfortable with" - Ramiz Raja
Ramiz Raja also raised eyebrows at the national selection committee nominating the playing XI, adding:
"He's got his chance and what he needs to do is to stamp his authority and maybe get the players that he wants. Right now, there's a little bit of hodgepodge where the selection committee is nominating the playing XI. I'm not too sure it happens anywhere else in the world. I just hope Rizwan gets his playing XI that he feels comfortable with."
Pakistan's tour of Australia begins with the first ODI on November 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.