Gary Kirsten, renowned for leading India to World Cup victory, is reportedly on the verge of stepping down as Pakistan’s white-ball coach, just four months into his tenure.
Recent shifts in leadership roles and selection policies have defined Gary Kirsten’s short tenure with the team, notably marked by Babar Azam’s temporary return as captain and subsequent resignation.
Cricbuzz reported there have been growing differences between Kirsten and the players recently. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not explicitly pushed Kirsten towards this decision, their rejection of his recommendation to appoint David Reid as High-Performance Coach has notably frustrated him, offering alternative candidates instead.
While no official decision has been confirmed, the PCB will announce Kirsten’s successor soon. Jason Gillespie, currently the red-ball coach, is among the top candidates considered for the role.
Additionally, the PCB may consider appointing Aaqib Javed, a former national player and current selection committee member, as the new white-ball coach in anticipation of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Javed’s strategic contributions were instrumental in Pakistan’s recent 2-1 series win over England.
The board has already named the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe, and reports indicate that Kirsten will not accompany the team for these tours.