The former South African cricketer’s coaching tenure ends abruptly due to conflicts with the PCB.
Pakistan cricket faces renewed uncertainty as Gary Kirsten steps down from his role as the Green Shirts’ white-ball head coach due to reported disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), sources informed Geo News on Monday.
Kirsten’s departure is a setback for Pakistan’s team, which is scheduled to tour Australia for a three-match ODI series beginning November 4, followed by a T20I series of the same length.
Appointed in April alongside Jason Gillespie, who took on the role of red-ball head coach, Kirsten was given a two-year contract. However, his tenure was cut short due to tensions with the PCB, which sources suggest stemmed from Kirsten’s unilateral decisions and failure to comply with contract terms.
The former white-ball head coach allegedly declined to reside in Pakistan as outlined in his contract and requested to join the team only a few days before any series or tour. Despite reminders of his required 11-month availability, Kirsten was absent during and after the Champions Cup. Furthermore, he reportedly threatened to skip the Australia tour unless mental performance coach David Reid’s contract was addressed.
Another dispute arose when the PCB recently restructured the selection committee, removing the head coaches and captain, reducing the panel to five members: Aqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema.
In response to Kirsten’s resignation, the PCB is likely to name former pacer and selection committee member Aqib Javed as the new white-ball head coach, with discussions in the final stages. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has tasked the board with appointing a replacement swiftly, considering Jason Gillespie for interim head coach for the Australian series.
Pakistan’s former coach, Mickey Arthur, weighed in on social media, emphasizing the importance of the head coach’s role in selection decisions, as they interact closely with players and need clear communication regarding roles and feedback
