In a surprising turn of events, Gary Kirsten has stepped down as Pakistan’s men’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) head coach after just six months in the role. This unexpected departure comes mere days before Pakistan embarks on a white-ball tour of Australia, leaving the cricketing world buzzing with speculation.
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Kirsten, a former South African cricketer with a distinguished coaching career, was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April 2024 on a two-year contract. His tenure, however, was marked by mixed results. While he oversaw the team during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan faced an early exit after disappointing losses to India and the USA.
With the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon – a tournament Pakistan is hosting for the first time in almost three decades – Kirsten’s resignation raises questions about the team’s preparation and stability.
The PCB has moved swiftly to fill the void, announcing that Jason Gillespie, current head coach of the Test side, will take over coaching duties for the Australia tour commencing on November 4th. Gillespie recently led Pakistan to a historic Test series victory against England, their first on home soil since 2021.
This interim solution provides a temporary fix, but the PCB will undoubtedly be searching for a permanent replacement to guide the team through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
