Jason Gillespie replaces Gary Kirsten as Pakistan white-ball coach for Australia tour; PCB slammed by fans

Gary Kirsten was appointed in April with much fanfare, but lasted 6 months in his role.

Gary Kirsten was appointed in April with much fanfare, but lasted 6 months in his role | GettyPakistan cricket received a jolt as white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation with immediate effect on October 28, 2024. He was appointed by PCB on a 2-year contract in April and barely lasted six months in the role.

There had been a schism building between Pakistan's newly appointed coaches, Kirsten and Gillespie, and the PCB since the board opted to deprive them of selection powers, leaving such authority solely in the hands of a selection committee to which they would no longer belong.

Kirsten did not issue a public remark but was said to be dissatisfied with recent developments. Part of the delay in identifying a squad and a new limited-overs captain was due to spirited talks inside the board, with Kirsten eager to have his influence considered.

The present selection committee's growing prominence has left the coaches feeling neglected. After losing the first Test against England, Pakistan established their third selection panel in three months. Aaqib, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema were on it, but the coaches and captain were removed.

Meanwhile, PCB announced that Jason Gillespie has been named the interim white-ball coach of the Pakistan team for the Australia tour. Kirsten departs from his role without having coached Pakistan in a single ODI, the format where he achieved his greatest coaching success.

The tour is set to commence on November 4, featuring a lineup of intense matches as both teams aim to build momentum ahead of the ICC World T20 scheduled next year.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket fans were terribly unhappy with Gary Kirsten resigning from his post as white-ball coach and the Pakistan Cricket Board copped the brunt of their ire on social media. PCB was slammed for letting go of a World Cup-winning coach with so little effort.

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By Jatin Sharma - 28 Oct, 2024

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