Gary Kirsten steps down as Pakistan’s white-ball coach

Published
0

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday that the national team’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, has resigned from the role, with Test head coach Jason Gillespie to lead the side during next month’s limited-overs tour of Australia.

On April 28, the Board appointed Kirsten, a former South Africa top-order batter, as the white-ball head coach for the men’s national team.

He coached the side in World Cup 2024 where the Green Shirts suffered a humiliating exit after losing both of their first two matches from winning positions.

The cricket board made a number of changes to the composition of the men’s national selection committee during Kirsten’s short stint, reportedly limiting his powers.

Separately, the PCB also announced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as captain and batting all-rounder Agha Salman as the vice-captain of the cricket team for the white-ball format yesterday with Kirsten not even being in the country, let alone the press conference.

The South African had stepped down from the position exactly six months after his appointment, ESPNcricinfo had earlier reported.

ESPNcricinfo reported that a rift had developed between the head coach and the PCB after the board decided to strip Kirsten of a say in the selection process.

The authority was instead “exclusively” handed over to a selection committee, which did not include Kirsten.

Kirsten was “keen” to have his “input taken into consideration” regarding the announcement of a squad and new limited-overs captain which went down to “animated discussions” with the board, ESPN said.

However, the decision was taken when Kirsten was not in the country, it added.

Pakistan did not play a single ODI match under Kirsten’s leadership, a format in which he won the cricket World Cup with India in 2011.

Opinion

Editorial

Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...
Terror and politics
Updated 29 Sep, 2026

Terror and politics

There is an urgent need to tone down the rhetoric and tackle terrorism as a collective challenge for both the affected provinces and the federation.
Watching the glaciers
29 Sep, 2026

Watching the glaciers

THE latest signs from Pakistan’s mountains are worrying. Suparco says the number of unfrozen glacial lakes it...
Dangerous agenda
29 Sep, 2026

Dangerous agenda

AS the world remains fixated on the US-Iran conflict, elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is consolidating its grip...