Gary Kirsten has resigned as Pakistan’s ODI and T20I head coach just six months into his tenure. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to officially comment on his departure.
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Kirsten, the former South African top-order batter, was appointed on April 28 to lead Pakistan’s white-ball teams. However, his time as head coach has been marred by internal conflicts and disappointing results. Under his leadership, Pakistan faced a humiliating early exit in the 2024 World Cup, losing both of their opening matches from commanding positions.
During Kirsten’s brief stint, the PCB made significant changes to the men’s national selection committee, reportedly sidelining him in key decisions. The situation escalated when the board appointed Mohammad Rizwan as captain and Agha Salman as vice-captain for the white-ball formats, without Kirsten’s input or presence in the country.
ESPNcricinfo reported a growing rift between Kirsten and the PCB, as the board stripped him of any say in squad selection, handing full authority to the selection committee. Kirsten, known for his successful coaching stint with India during their 2011 World Cup win, was keen to have his voice heard in the selection process, leading to heated discussions with the board.
Notably, Pakistan did not play a single ODI match under Kirsten’s leadership before his departure.
