Gary Kirsten, head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams, resigned because of repeated disputes with the PCB and Aaqib Javed, who is also part of the selection committee. The PCB accepted his resignation and named Jason Gillespie, head coach of the Test team of Pakistan, to take care of the Australia tour.
Why did Gary Kirsten resign?
Sources indicate that there had been tension between Kirsten and the PCB for a long time. The former coach was said to have been unhappy about certain restrictions by the board, mainly on personnel issues. Kirsten wanted to bring his team to be with him, but the PCB did not approve, thus making him frustrated.
More significantly, Kirsten is said to be angry over interference in the selection committee and also with the team, as far as the squad matters go. The selections that were made for the Australian tour recently did not go according to his wish, and thus he faced added stress. Aaqib Javed joining up in the decision making alongside the committee further bothered him.
Jason Gillespie enters
First, it was believed that Aaqib Javed could be the caretaker head coach for the tour to Australia; however, PCB decided on Jason Gillespie, already head coach of Pakistan’s Test team, for that job. PCB issued a press release announcing Gillespie appointment and accepting Kirsten’s resignation. It was pretty fast from the board’s administration.
Implications of such change:
Kirsten’s resignation has come at a time when the Pakistan team is scheduled to play the Australia series. Sources have revealed that Kirsten hadn’t been in touch with PCB even officially to join the tour in Australia. Therefore, his participation in the tour is still uncertain. According to the schedule, Kirsten was supposed to arrive in Australia today and join Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who have already arrived there. Rest of the team members were flying out of Pakistan soon after.
PCB had recently messed with the coaching staff, and stripped the coach and the captain of the power of selection after the tour of England. It already was a tense situation and hence was affecting Kirsten as well as Gillespie.
Final Thoughts
Gary Kirsten’s resignation has highlighted the issues with Pakistan cricket, particularly relating to aligning coaching with the selection team. Jason Gillespie, who was named head coach for the Australia tour within hours of Gary Kirsten’s resignation, shows PCB is keen on stability. Only time will tell how the team will fare under Gillespie.
This episode calls for a balanced and cohesive approach in handling team affairs, especially when the team has such important tours and series lined up. With dedicated support and streamlined decision-making, the team would be able to overcome such hurdles and continue its pursuit of excellence in international cricket.
Read More here: https://behindthecurtain.blog/madiha-imam-speaks-out-on-facing-social-media-criticism-for-her-marriage/
