Gary Kirsten has stepped down as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams just six months into his two-year contract. Kirsten, who took on the role in April 2024, has reportedly resigned amid growing tensions within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over coaching authority. An official announcement is expected soon.
The rift started when the PCB decided to remove selection powers from the coaching staff, including Kirsten and fellow coach Jason Gillespie. The selection responsibilities were handed over to a newly formed selection committee, sidelining the coaches. Gillespie didn’t hold back his frustration, describing himself as merely a “match-day analyst” during Pakistan’s series against England in Rawalpindi. Kirsten, while not making any public comments, was said to be unhappy with the sudden changes.
When Mohammad Rizwan was named the new white-ball captain in Lahore, Kirsten wasn’t even in the country, highlighting the disconnect between the coaches and the PCB’s decision-makers. The selection committee, led by Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, and others, had taken full control, leaving the coaching staff out of crucial decisions. Rizwan even jokingly referred to the team’s new approach as “Aaqib-ball,” a nod to the committee’s growing influence.
Kirsten’s departure comes after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in the USA, where Pakistan suffered early exits following losses to the USA and India. The former Indian coach had high hopes of leading the team to success at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, but his exit now leaves the PCB scrambling for a new coach ahead of the Australia tour, which kicks off on November 4.
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