"Pakistan Comedy Board at its best" - Fans react after Gary Kirsten resigns as Men in Green's white-ball coach
Former South African batter Gary Kirsten resigned as Pakistan men's team's white-ball coach on Monday, October 28. The 2011 World Cup-winning coach was roped in in April.
While Kirsten was given a two-year contract, reports from the Pakistani media suggest that he stepped down due to disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The recent developments do not augur well for the Men in Green, given that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is just four months away.
Pakistan are now in search of a new coach ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, where they will play three ODIs and as many T20Is. The 50-over matches are set to kick off on November 4.
Several fans took to social media to slam the PCB following Kirsten's resignation. Here are some of the top reactions:
"Pakistan Comedy Board At Its Best," a fan said.
Many fans opined that Kirsten's exit was a big loss for Pakistani cricket, while others expressed their displeasure over the PCB disrespecting a coach of Kirsten's stature.
"Big L for Pak cricket! Gary could’ve worked magic with the new talent, fr. Foreign coaches have their own style, hate when management gets all up in selections—only the captain & chief selector should be in that mix. Wild seeing him quit early, no clue why, but huge loss for us," wrote a fan.
"If you can't get along with Gary Kirsten you are unlikely to get along with anyone on earth. The guy is the calmest person ever," commented another.
"It was tough for him to work with PCB. Every time you see new players in the squad with no surity of regular chances so how can a coach groom a proper team. So he made a right call," chimed in yet another.
Gary Kirsten's stint ended in just six months. It is worth mentioning that he was Pakistan's head coach in their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, where they suffered a group-stage exit following losses to the United States of America (USA) and India.
"Don’t waste ur time there" - When Harbhajan Singh urged Gary Kirsten to leave Pakistani cricket
Former Team India spinner Harbhajan Singh had advised Gary Kirsten to resign as Pakistan's white-ball coach earlier this year. He reckoned that the veteran coach should not waste his time with the Pakistani team.
Hailing Kirsten as a great coach and mentor, here's what Harbhajan wrote on X in June:
"Don’t waste ur time there Gary .. Come back to Coach Team INDIA .. Gary Kirsten One of the rare diamonds. A Great Coach ,Mentor, Honest nd very dear friend to all in the our 2011 Team .. our winning coach of 2011 worldcup . Special man Gary."
Pakistan will be with a new coach and captain in their six white-ball matches in Australia. Keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been named as the team's new white-ball skipper ahead of the tour.