Gary Kirsten has resigned from his position as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams after only six months, just before Pakistan’s upcoming ODI series in Australia. His departure follows a growing rift between the coaching staff and PCB over selection powers.
Coaching Rift and PCB’s Selection Power Shift
Kirsten, appointed on a two-year contract in April 2024, took on the role with high hopes, but recent changes to PCB’s selection policy created tension. The new policy limited the coaching staff’s involvement in player selection, assigning that responsibility solely to a newly formed selection committee. Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s Test coach, will now step in for Kirsten during the Australia series.
Gillespie also expressed surprise at the policy changes, noting he was now more of a “match-day analyst.” The changes left Kirsten disappointed as he was unable to contribute to player selections, which, according to sources, led to his resignation.
PCB’s New Selection Approach and Coaching Challenges
The PCB recently set up a new selection committee, sidelining both coaches and the captain. This committee includes notable names like Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, and Azhar Ali. Aaqib has become the public face of this shift, and even Pakistan’s new white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, referred to the team’s style as “Aaqib-ball” during a recent series.
For the third time in three months, PCB has restructured its selection committee. This overhaul seems to have played a role in Kirsten’s resignation, as he had envisioned an active role in shaping the team’s composition.
Kirsten’s Short and Turbulent Stint
Kirsten’s tenure started with Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign in the USA, which saw Pakistan’s earliest exit from a T20 World Cup after losing to both the USA and India. The team’s disappointing performance led to Babar Azam stepping down as white-ball captain. Kirsten had hoped to use the remaining time before the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 to build a stronger team, but the recent selection disputes derailed those plans.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With Kirsten’s departure, the Pakistan team faces uncertainty in the lead-up to their ODI series in Australia. This quick turnover also raises questions about PCB’s long-term coaching strategy and its impact on Pakistan’s white-ball teams as they prepare for major ICC events.