Background on Gary Kirsten’s Departure
Gary Kirsten, known for leading India to victory in the 2011 World Cup, resigned without coaching Pakistan in a single ODI. His departure has sparked concerns in Pakistan’s cricket community about the stability and attractiveness of coaching roles within the team.
Pakistan cricket has faced several managerial and coaching shifts lately, with players and coaching staff undergoing rapid changes. Kirsten’s resignation comes amidst other international coaches, like Shane Watson and Darren Sammy, declining PCB offers to lead the national squad.
Ramiz Raja’s Concerns
Ramiz Raja believes the situation makes it harder for Pakistan to secure top international coaching talent. He said, “When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash after Gary Kirsten’s resignation, it’s not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent.”
Raja emphasized that the PCB needs to be clear with coaching staff about their roles and expectations. “You need to ensure that once you involve and engage someone, they have clarity regarding their role,” he added.
Issues with Selection Powers
A major point of contention was the PCB’s decision to remove selection powers from both Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s new Test coach, following Pakistan’s Test defeat against England. This led to a third selection panel in three months, with the unusual addition of umpire Aleem Dar.
Ramiz shared his concerns, stating, “I don’t know about an umpire being a selector. It seems unusual, and the jury is still out.” He believes that leadership in cricket needs to come from a dedicated head coach, with sufficient decision-making authority to ensure accountability.
Changes in Pakistan’s Leadership
Pakistan’s cricket leadership is undergoing a transformation. Jason Gillespie will take over as interim white-ball coach for the Australian series, while Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the new captain, following Babar Azam’s resignation. This will be a test for Rizwan, who will lead a young squad through a tough series of ODIs and T20Is against Australia.
Ramiz encouraged Rizwan to “stamp his authority” and have control over the playing XI, which, according to Ramiz, is currently selected by the selection committee.
Ramiz Raja’s Call for Stability
Ramiz concluded by calling for calm and stability within Pakistan cricket, especially with an intense cricket calendar ahead. He noted, “It’s important for all stakeholders to understand the value of a smooth start to what will be a challenging season.”
With Pakistan facing a busy schedule, Ramiz hopes the team can build on the momentum gained from the recent series win over England.