Former India coach explains reason behind joining Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a big move on Sunday by announcing Gary Kirsten as the head coach for ODIs and T20Is, while Jason Gillespie will take over for Test cricket. Kirsten, who previously coached successful teams like India and South Africa, aims to unite Pakistan’s white-ball team, with Azhar Mahmood as assistant coach. Kirsten, currently mentoring IPL team Gujarat Titans, will begin his tenure from Pakistan’s tour of England starting May 22. Pakistan is gearing up for four T20Is before heading to the T20 World Cup in June.

Gary Kirsten is ready to emphasize coaching strategies

“It’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket and to rejoin the international cricket arena after some time. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and aim to contribute positively to the Pakistan men’s national team in limited-overs cricket,” he added.

Gary Kirsten’s coaching strategy emphasizes the importance of consistency in team selections. He aims to create a stable environment where players can excel by focusing on building strong team dynamics. Kirsten believes that maintaining a cohesive unit is crucial for Pakistan’s success in international competitions.

“Across cultures, there’s a shared understanding…”

“One of the beautiful aspects of cricket is its universality. Across cultures, there’s a shared understanding when we discuss the game. My goal is to unite the Pakistan men’s white-ball team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective, and achieving success together on the field,” he said.

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Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the last World Cup, the coaching staff, including head coach Grant Bradburn and others, were sacked. Babar Azam was removed as captain, with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the white-ball team and Shan Masood in Tests. Muhammad Hafeez briefly served as a guide during the Australia tour but was replaced after Pakistan’s poor results. Despite approaching names like Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson, PCB finalized Kirsten and Gillespie as the new coaches, banking on their successful coaching experiences.