Gary Kirsten quits as Pakistan white-ball coach amid alleged rift with the PCB

Gary Kirsten had joined the Pakistan white-ball team in May earlier this year.

In a more shocking development in Pakistan cricket, their white-ball coach Gary Kirsten has resigned from his role within less than six months of being appointed.

In May, the former South African batsman joined the Pakistan cricket team on a two-year contract to head the white-ball sides. However, he has now resigned amid alleged rift with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and “serious differences of opinion between Kirsten and the players”.

Gillespie Test coach Jason Gillespie will take over the duties of white-ball coach on an interim basis for now for the upcoming tour of Australia, where Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted,” the PCB tweeted.

Gary Kirsten left disappointed with the PCB

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Kirsten, who had coached India to the 2011 World Cup victory, and Gillespie have been left frustrated and “disappointed” with the PCB stripping them of selection powers, with that authority exclusively going to the selection committee they are no longer a part of.

“The coaches have felt sidelined by the rise in influence of the current selection committee,” the report said.

Interestingly, Kirsten didn’t even coach Pakistan in a single ODI in his brief stint. His first major assignment was the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit after losses to the USA and India, following which captain Babar Azam stepped down.

Further, according to Cricbuzz, Gary Kirsten’s request to appoint David Reid as a High Performance coach was denied by the PCB.

Kirsten wanted to develop the side for the Champions Trophy 2025 but now has moved away from the Men In Green amid a rift with the board and players.

While Gillespie will be the interim coach for the Australia tour, Aaqib Javed is believed to be the front-runner to become the new full-time white-ball coach.

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