The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces renewed scrutiny following Gary Kirsten’s unexpected resignation as the men’s white-ball head coach. Kirsten’s departure comes shortly after Pakistan’s 2-1 series win over England, a momentary high for the team. Appointed in April this year, Kirsten’s tenure did not go as envisioned, with Pakistan exiting the T20 World Cup in the group stage. The PCB accepted his resignation without resistance, signaling possible internal friction.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali publicly criticized PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, attributing Kirsten’s exit to unresolved issues within the board. According to Basit, Naqvi’s recent decisions to remove various coaching and management staff have raised concerns. “Mohsin Naqvi has come with a lot of power,” Ali remarked, adding, “Now, whoever raises their voice will be sidelined.”
One significant point of contention appeared to be Kirsten’s preference for a different white-ball captain. While the PCB recently appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball captain following Babar Azam’s decision to step down, Basit claimed that Kirsten had advocated for another player to lead the team. This disagreement over leadership, according to Basit, might have contributed to the coach’s departure.
In the wake of Kirsten’s resignation, the PCB announced that Test coach Jason Gillespie would assume the white-ball head coach role for Pakistan’s upcoming Australia tour. The series, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, begins on November 4. The PCB shared this update on its social media platforms as the team readies for the challenging tour.
