Why Gary Kirsten leave his job as Pakistan Coach?

Fans would have expected Gary Kirsten to continue in his role as Pakistan’s head coach after a much-needed series victory vs England. However, the South African has left his role as the Men in Green coach after 4 months on the job.

Why Should Gary Kirsten Have Stayed on as Pakistan Head Coach?

Brilliant Test outing vs England

Many cricket fans expected England to hand Pakistan a whitewashing in the concluded Test between both sides. However, the Men in Green pulled a surprise win during turbulent times vs England to revamp the team’s hopes of rediscovering their spark.

Fans would have believed Kirsten will go on to lead Pakistan for long after his impressive performance vs England.

Potential improvement in overall team form

Pakistan’s performance vs England was a moment to savour for many cricket fans. The team showed glimpses of brilliance in recent matches, even if their run of results has not been favourable so far.

Why Did Gary Kirsten Resign as Pakistan Head Coach?

Stark difference in ideology with PCB

Several reports claimed that the 2011 World Cup-winning coach was at odds with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials over necessary steps within the team.

An unstable set of decisions since the emergence of Mohsin Naqvi as PCB Chairman has not helped Pakistan cricket much. Kirsten’s shock exit from the national team creates another challenge for Naqvi and co. to handle.

Arguments over player selection

Player selection decisions were solely left to the head coach before Mohsin Naqvi became PCB chair. The current PCB exec has made several decisions that may have unsettled Kirsten and forced his exit.

Former PCB Chairman Speaks on Gary Kirsten’s Departure

Ramiz Raja is a former PCB chair and believes Kirsten’s hurried exit could affect Pakistan’s ability to retain quality coaching talent from abroad:

“When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash that you will probably get from Gary Kirsten’s resignation…it’s not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent,” Raja said.

The ex-PCB chairman continued by illustrating how clarity plays a vital role in keeping foreign coaching talent:

“What you need to do is to make sure that once you involve and engage somebody, you’ve got to give them clarity regarding the role.”

Mr. Raja admitted he doesn’t have all the details about Kirsten’s exit, but suggests that Pakistan needs an experienced coach:

“I don’t know whether that clarity was given to Gary Kirsten or how he wanted to get Pakistan into this one-day phase, what he wanted to achieve. I’m not privy to that. It’s not great news because Pakistan needed an experienced hand. From a distance, it doesn’t look great just before a tour.”

Basit Ali Slams PCB’s Autocratic Approach

Former Pakistan cricketer believes Mohsin Naqvi adopts an autocratic approach in handling the board’s affairs:

“Mohsin Naqvi has come with a lot of power. The coaches, selectors and managers are being removed. Earlier, the chairman used to be changed from time to time. Now, whoever raises their voice will be sidelined.”

Basit narrates how he alleges the rift between PCB chair Naqvi and Kirsten started:

“The story started when Mohammad Rizwan was named Pakistan’s new white-ball captain. Kirsten wanted a different captain and demanded another player in the team,” Ali said.

Ali suggests that Kirsten thought he will have a free hand to guide the team; however, the ex-cricketer admits that change is constant in PCB affairs:

“Coincidently, both of them are not in the team. He was thinking that maybe he could have full authority. However, he doesn’t know that in Pakistan, even the PCB chairman can get changed overnight.”

PCB Gets a Replacement for Gary Kirsten

The PCB immediately announced Jason Gillespie as Gary Kirsten’s replacement as Pakistan aims to tour Australia in a white-ball series next month:

“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 statement read.

What Was Gary Kirsten’s Record as Pakistan’s Head Coach?

Gary Kirsten’s short stint as head coach of Pakistan ended just after eight (8) matches. The games were marred by poor form throughout as Pakistan slumped to 4 defeats out of 8 matches, managing to win only 2 matches. Two (2) games ended without a result during the coach’s tenure.