Kirsten steps down from his role as Pakistan’s white-ball coach

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Gary Kirsten has resigned as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams, effective immediately. The former South African cricketer was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a two-year contract in April 2024 but has stepped down just six months later, a week before Pakistan’s scheduled ODI series in Australia. During the upcoming tour, Jason Gillespie, the current Test coach, will assume Kirsten’s duties for the six white-ball matches.

Tensions had been mounting between Kirsten, Gillespie, and the PCB following the board’s decision to strip the coaching staff of their selection powers, which were instead transferred to a committee that did not include them. Gillespie, notably surprised by this shift, commented that he felt like a “match-day analyst” rather than a head coach, while Kirsten chose not to comment publicly. However, sources close to him suggest that he was equally disappointed by the changes and felt sidelined by the growing influence of the selection committee, which had undergone its third reshuffle in just three months.

This development comes in the wake of Pakistan’s loss to England in the first Test, leading to the formation of a new panel. The exclusion of the coaches and captain from critical decision-making processes added to the sense of frustration within the coaching staff. Kirsten’s resignation is particularly striking as he leaves without having coached Pakistan in a single ODI, despite his appointment being based on his expertise in that format, especially given his past successes with India and other teams.

Kirsten’s tenure with Pakistan began on a challenging note, with an early exit from the T20 World Cup in the USA. Although there were hopes that the team’s fortunes would improve under his guidance, his resignation now looms large as Pakistan looks ahead to the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2025. His departure marks a significant moment in Pakistan cricket, leaving many questions about the future direction of the team and its leadership.

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