Gary Kirsten Resigns as Pakistan Cricket Coach: The Man Who Led India to Glory.
Gary Kirsten, the former South African cricketer who coached India to victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, has stepped down as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. Kirsten was appointed in April 2024 for white-ball cricket but resigned just six months later due to differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In his place, former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been named coach for the upcoming tour of Australia.
The PCB released a statement on Monday confirming Gillespie’s appointment, saying, “Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team during next month’s limited-overs tour of Australia. Gary Kirsten has submitted his resignation, which has been accepted.”
Kirsten had been with the team since April, and both he and Gillespie had signed contracts for two years. Kirsten famously led India to its first ODI World Cup win in 28 years.
Reasons Behind Kirsten’s Resignation :-
- Selection Authority Taken Away: The PCB stripped Kirsten and Gillespie of their selection powers, granting them solely to a selection committee.
- Disagreement on Captaincy: The day before Kirsten’s resignation, the PCB appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain for ODIs and T20s. Kirsten wanted his opinions to be considered, causing delays in announcing the team and captain.
- Feeling Isolated: Kirsten felt sidelined due to the growing influence of the current selection committee. After Pakistan lost the first Test to England, the PCB announced a new selection panel for the third time in three months, removing both the coach and captain.
Changes in Support Staff Post World Cup 2023 :-
After the Pakistan team failed to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC World Cup 2023, the PCB made several changes to its support staff. Recently, Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, and Andrew Puttick also resigned from their positions. Arthur was appointed as the director of the men’s cricket team in April 2023, while Bradburn became the head coach earlier that year.
Kirsten’s International Career Highlights :-
As a left-handed opening batsman, Gary Kirsten played 101 Test matches for South Africa, scoring 7,289 runs at an average of 45.27, with a top score of 275. He recorded 21 centuries and 34 half-centuries during his Test career. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Kirsten played 185 matches, amassing 6,798 runs, including 13 centuries and 45 half-centuries. His best ODI score was an unbeaten 188 against the UAE during the 1999 World Cup.
Kirsten was also known for his exceptional fielding skills, famously taking a stunning catch of Sachin Tendulkar during a Test match in Durban in 1996, which remains a memorable moment for fans.