Gary Kirsten leaves PCB amid contract breaches and selection disputes, reveals PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. New head coach to be named soon for Pakistan’s white-ball team.
The term of Gary Kirsten as head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball team ended abruptly, with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi declaring on Wednesday that Kirsten’s departure was due to “breaches” of his contract. This resignation comes amid reported disagreements over Kirsten’s role in team selection, making it an acrimonious exit for India’s former World Cup-winning coach.
Gary Kirsten, who led India to a World Cup success in 2011, has yet to share his side of the tale since his departure. Naqvi highlighted that Kirsten terminated the contract on his own initiative, rather than at the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board. “Kirsten broke his contract with the PCB and committed some violations. He ended the contract with us,” Naqvi remarked, refraining from providing any details about the misconducts.
According to PCB sources, Gary Kirsten was disgruntled after being left out of important selection choices, like as the release of squads for Pakistan’s upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. The Board’s decision to deprive coaching staff of any input over selection concerns is seen to be a major factor in Kirsten’s resignation, which heightened tensions between the coach and the PCB.
Furthermore, PCB sources believed that Gary Kirsten had not met all contractual commitments. Notably, he reportedly spent little time in Pakistan and insisted on maintaining a completely foreign coaching support team, a request that the Board found difficult to meet.
After the departure of Gary Kristen, the PCB has already initiated the process of seeking a new head coach for the white-ball squad. Chairman Naqvi indicated that he has been in talks with four to five potential candidates and hopes to name Kirsten’s replacement before the end of the month. Former cricketer Jason Gillespie has agreed to coach Pakistan’s next white-ball series in Australia on a temporary basis, albeit his major focus remains on red-ball cricket.
The PCB hopes to recruit a permanent head coach for the white-ball event before Pakistan travels to Zimbabwe. However, Aaqib Javed, a recognized selector and top candidate for the position, is said to prefer a developmental role at the National Cricket Academy, where he would focus on player development.
The problem of selection has also prompted concerns about senior player Fakhar Zaman’s absence from the Australian and Zimbabwe squads. Fakhar, who recently tweeted his support for former captain Babar Azam, was axed from the Pakistan Test team, prompting an internal investigation and a show-cause notice from the PCB. Naqvi stated that Fakhar’s case is being reviewed by a special committee, and that he does not meddle with selection decisions. “The selectors have the authority to make these decisions,” he said.
Naqvi emphasized his dedication to honoring the duties of selectors and coaches, stating that he had no influence over any player’s selection.
Also Read: PCB Eases Stance on Fakhar Zaman after Response to Show-Cause Notice