Pakistan's white-ball formats head coach, Gary Kirsten, has raised alarms about the heavy workload of their star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi. Afridi, who is currently playing for the Lions in the Champions One-Day Cup, has bowled 19.5 overs so far, taking five wickets at an average of 24. Kirsten’s concern comes as Pakistan prepares to face England in a three-match Test series starting on October 7, with Afridi’s fitness being crucial for their success.

Afridi rested to manage workload

Afridi was recently rested for the second Test against Bangladesh to help manage his workload. With a packed schedule ahead, including the crucial Test series against England, Kirsten highlighted that both Afridi and Naseem Shah have been shouldering Pakistan’s bowling burden across formats. He emphasized the need for proper rest to keep these key players fit and firing.

“Fast bowlers are always under immense pressure to deliver and win games. When we look at our key resources, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have carried the bulk of the workload for Pakistan across all formats,” said Kirsten on commentary during the Champions Cup game.

“I saw a stat the other day that Shaheen has bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler in the world over the last 18 months. That's alarming — you’re bound to wear him down eventually,” he added.

Afridi's recent performance and stats

Although Kirsten mentioned that Afridi has bowled the most overs among fast bowlers in the last 18 months, this claim is inaccurate. Australia's Mitchell Starc holds that record, having bowled 531.3 overs since March 2023, while Afridi ranks fourth with 455.1 overs. However, Afridi has been the most prolific wicket-taker during this period, claiming 96 wickets in 54 innings at an average of 24.19. Despite these impressive numbers, Afridi will be keen to improve his Test performance, having taken only five wickets in five Test matches over the last 18 months at an average of 40.81.

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As Pakistan seeks their first Test win at home since February 2021, Afridi’s performance will be key in their upcoming campaign against England.

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.

Shubman Gill, the young and promising cricketer, embarked on his maiden Indian Premier League season as captain with a roller-coaster ride of emotions. In a gripping opener against the Mumbai Indians, Gill’s Gujarat Titans clinched a tight victory, showcasing his potential as a leader. However, the euphoria was short-lived as they stumbled in their encounter against the formidable Chennai Super Kings.

Victory Against Mumbai Indians

Gill’s leadership journey kicked off on a high note with a thrilling win against the Mumbai Indians. Despite facing his predecessor, Hardik Pandya, now representing the Mumbai franchise, Gill marshaled his team to a narrow six-run victory. This initial success set the tone for the Titans’ aspirations in the IPL.

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The Titans’ joy was soon overshadowed by a disappointing loss to the reigning champions, the Chennai Super Kings. Gill, both as a captain and a batsman, faced a challenging ordeal as his team succumbed to a significant 63-run defeat. This defeat not only dented their morale but also impacted their net run rate, highlighting areas for improvement.

Gary Kirsten’s Evaluation of Gill’s Captaincy

Gary Kirsten, the astute head coach of the Titans, provided insights into Gill’s early days as captain. Emphasizing the dynamic nature of T20 cricket, Kirsten lauded Gill’s adaptability and decision-making skills. He acknowledged the steep learning curve for a young captain in such a fast-paced format, expressing confidence in Gill’s growth trajectory.

“It’s a fast game. You are making tactical decisions on a regular basis. It’s not like Test cricket where it unfolds over a long period of time,” Kirsten said in the pre-match conference on Saturday.

Challenges and Adjustments in T20 Leadership

Amidst the ups and downs, Kirsten commended Gill’s demeanor and leadership qualities. Despite the pressures of captaincy, Gill showcased maturity beyond his years, earning praise for his strategic insight and composure under pressure. Kirsten reiterated the importance of patience and continuous improvement in Gill’s leadership journey.

Kirsten said, “I think he’s embraced it (captaincy) really well. He’s shown some good leadership qualities. He’s a smart guy. He’s a young captain, and there’s lots to learn, especially in T20. So, he’ll learn along the way.”

Analysis of the Defeat Against Chennai Super Kings

Reflecting on the loss to the Super Kings, Kirsten acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the necessity for introspection. He emphasized the importance of leveraging individual strengths collectively, emphasizing resilience and adaptability as key pillars of success in T20 cricket.

“As with any cricket team, you want to play to the best of your ability. We weren’t good enough that day (against CSK). I think we’ve acknowledged that and we’ve had our conversations around what we need to make sure that we are better to gain from our skills. Every team has different kinds of strengths and we didn’t show that in the CSK game and we just got to move on,” Kirsten reflected.

Titans’ Position in the IPL Standings

Currently placed seventh on the IPL table, the Titans are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. With a win and a loss under their belt, they aim to ascend in the standings with a commanding performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

As anticipation mounts for the Titans’ clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gill and his team are gearing up for another test of character. The encounter presents an opportunity to showcase their resilience and bounce back from adversity with renewed vigor.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s conducted himself as a leader,” Kirsten told the media.

Netherlands has added Gary Kirsten and Dan Christian to their coaching staff on short-term deals for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Kirsten’s academy in Cape Town, where Netherlands coach Ryan Cook has worked for a number of years. Hosted the squad for a training camp in late September ahead of the tournament, while Christian joined up with the team in Adelaide after their recent arrival in Australia.

“We are very excited to welcome both Gary Kirsten and Dan Christian to our coaching staff for the T20 World Cup,”. Roland Lefebvre, the KNCB’s high performance manager, said. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Which will be of great help in the lead-up to and during the World Cup.” Kirsten has been part of three previous T20 World Cups as a head coach – in 2009 and 2010 with India, and in 2012 with South Africa. But his sides have never progressed as far as the semi-finals.

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Short-term deals to work with the Netherlands team

This year, he was the batting coach as Gujarat Titans won IPL 2022. But his Welsh Fire side endured a winless season in the Hundred, picking up the wooden spoon. “I really enjoyed working with the Dutch team in Cape Town and I look forward to joining them as a consultant in the T20 World Cup,” Kirsten said. “I was impressed with the level of skill and professionalism during the camp. They will be ready and determined to make a big impact at the T20 World Cup.”

Christian was part of Australia’s squads for the 2010, 2012 and 2014 T20 World Cups and was a travelling reserve when they won the 2021 edition in the UAE. He has extensive knowledge of conditions at each venue for the 2022 edition as the most-capped player in Big Bash history. Christian added: “I’ve had a great couple of weeks getting to know the guys, and I’ve been extremely impressed with everyone’s work ethic at practice. I’m looking forward to seeing them have some well-deserved success on the field.” Netherlands played on Monday, losing to Scotland by 18 runs, and will play West Indies in Melbourne on Wednesday before travelling to Geelong for their first-round fixtures against UAE, Namibia and Sri Lanka.