Danish Kaneria reveals Gary Kirsten quit Pakistan coach role due to constant trolling

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has backed Gary Kirsten for resigning as Pakistan's head coach ahead of the forthcoming Australia tour. Danish Kaneria also revealed reasons why Gary Kirsten must have taken the step.

Gary Kirsten was appointed as Pakistan's coach in ODIs and T20Is in April ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2024. However, Pakistan faced an early exit in the tournament after losing group-stage games to India and USA.

Gary Kirsten was given a two-year contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). However, he resigned from the post after Pakistan's Test series victory over England. Notably, Kirsten is regarded as among the best coaches in international cricket who also led India to ICC ODI World Cup 2011 victory.

Gary Kirsten made a good decision by resigning as Pakistan coach, feels Danish Kaneria

During a chat with Times of India, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria backed Gary Kirsten for his decision to quit as Pakistan coach. Kaneria noted how people trolled him after the team's poor show in T20 WC 2024 and cited it as one of the reasons behind his ouster.

"If you bring someone in and expect him to perform wonders early on, it's not possible. That's the only reason he didn't like how things went after the World Cup - people were trolling him, the media was trolling him, everything," Kaneria said.

"So, a guy like Gary will not take that, and Gary has taken a good decision by not continuing with Pakistan. But it's a big loss for the Pakistan team, especially for the youngsters, given the immense experience he brings," he further added.

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Why are foreign coaches not involved in the selection process in the Pakistan Team?

Notably, Pakistan selectors took major selection calls in the recent Test series against England. The selectors dropped crucial members like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Khan after 1st Test and added youngsters and debutants as replacements for the next two games against England.

Danish Kaneria explained why foreign coaches are not involved in the selection process. According to him, foreign coaches are not focussed on domestic cricket in Pakistan while the selection committee closely observes the domestic players.

"The international coaches are not involved in the selection committee because they need to stay in Pakistan to watch domestic cricket. I believe that's the main reason. When an international coach comes in, they don't stay or watch domestic cricke", Kaneria said.

"Therefore, there is no point in them being a part of us because they don't know. So you have to rely on the selectors' choices since they have been closely observing the players." added Kaneria, who represented the Pakistan Team from 2000 to 2010.

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Pakistan to take on Australia in white-ball series under new skipper Mohammad Rizwan

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made many changes in the coaching staff and leadership after Pakistan's recent Test series against England. Mohammad Rizwan is the new white-ball skipper of the Pakistan team after Babar Azam's resignation as captain.

Rizwan will lead the side in the upcoming Australia tour, where Pakistan will face the Aussies in three ODIs and three T20Is from November 4. Salman Ali Agha has been named as the new vice-captain of ODIs and T20Is.