In a surprising turn of events that continues the trend of unpredictable occurrences within Pakistan cricket, Gary Kirsten has stepped down as the white-ball head coach just 24 hours after the announcement of the squads for upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. This unexpected development has left the cricketing world buzzing and elicited mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly accepted Kirsten’s resignation and has appointed the red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, to fill the vacant role with less than a week before the team departs for the Australia tour.
Kirsten’s appointment in May earlier this year was seen as a significant coup for the Pakistan cricket team. He emerged victorious in a competitive selection process, surpassing other notable contenders like Shane Watson and Darren Sammy. The PCB took considerable time, around three months, to finalize their choice, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi describing it as a “remarkable opportunity for our players to glean insights from these seasoned professionals.”
However, Kirsten’s tenure, albeit short-lived, was not without its challenges. Under his guidance, the Pakistan team participated in the T20 World Cup, which did not go as planned. The team faced an early exit after failing to go beyond the group stage, with losses against the USA and India. This was a tough pill to swallow for Pakistani fans, as expectations were high. During this tumultuous period, Babar Azam resigned as captain for the second time within a year, adding to the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the team. Yet, all eyes were on the future, particularly next year’s ODI Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host.
Kirsten seemed set to lead Pakistan in their quest to defend their title in the Champions Trophy, but internal dynamics within the Board proved to be a hurdle. Reports indicate Kirsten felt marginalized by the decisions of the current selection committee, which now holds the sole authority to pick the squad. This shift in power structure followed Pakistan’s loss to England in the first Test of a recent series, prompting the PCB to remove both the coach and captain from their roles in the selection committee.
. The new panel, featuring figures like Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema, took control of selection responsibilities.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Kirsten was deeply unsatisfied with these developments, leading to intense discussions with the PCB. He was keen for his insights and inputs to be valued within the selection process; however, the board rejected his requests, ultimately leading to his resignation. Kirsten’s departure is remarkable as he steps down without having coached the national team in a single ODI match, despite signing a two-year contract specifically for white-ball formats.
In the midst of these dramatic changes, Pakistan eyes its first ODI since their World Cup outing in India in 2023, which will take place on November 4 during the tour of Australia. Meanwhile, the team has experienced a merry-go-round of captaincy changes — with Babar Azam stepping down twice, Shaheen Afridi and then Mohammad Rizwan stepping into the role as white-ball captain. The cricketing community watches these events unfold with a blend of amusement and astonishment.
For cricket fans following Pakistan’s journey, the timeline of leadership roles within the national team paints a chaotic picture. November 2023 saw Babar Azam’s initial resignation, followed by Shaheen Afridi’s appointment. By March 2024, Afridi too had stepped down, leading to Babar Azam’s reappointment just before the T20 World Cup in April of the same year. His subsequent resignation in September 2024 paved the way for Mohammad Rizwan to take over in October.
These whirlwinds of strategic shifts and personnel changes underscore the uniquely unpredictable nature of Pakistan cricket. As the saying goes, expect the unexpected whenever following this enigmatic cricket board. With each turn of events, Pakistan cricket continues its legacy of mystique and intrigue, keeping fans globally on the edge of their seats.
