Gary Kirsten steps down as Pakistan’s white-ball coach amid rift with PCB

28 October 2024 11:40 am Views - 1390

• A formal statement from the PCB regarding Kirsten’s departure is expected soon

Gary Kirsten has resigned from his role as head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams, just six months after his appointment in April 2024. His decision comes amid growing tension between Pakistan’s new coaching staff and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a controversial shift in authority.

Earlier this year, the PCB changed its policies, removing selection responsibilities from Kirsten and his colleague Jason Gillespie, who also joined as a coach. Now, team selection is fully managed by an independent committee, effectively sidelining the coaches from the decision-making process. This change has sparked discontent within the coaching staff. Gillespie voiced his dissatisfaction recently, stating he felt reduced to just a "match-day analyst." He remarked, "It wasn't what he signed up for."

Although Kirsten has not spoken publicly on the matter, sources close to the situation indicate he was disappointed by the shift, particularly with being left out of the selection discussions and captaincy decisions. 

The situation became more apparent when the PCB introduced Mohammad Rizwan as the new limited-overs captain at a press conference in Lahore. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was joined only by selection committee member Aaqib Javed, Rizwan, and vice-captain Salman Agha. Kirsten was notably absent, as he was reportedly not even in Pakistan at the time. (cricketpakistan)