Gary Kirsten flies back home even before Pakistan announce new white-ball captain

Pakistan National Cricket Team white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has flown back home and will be enjoying the time off. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that Kirsten will now be joining the team directly in Australia for the upcoming white-ball games.

This comes as a huge surprise because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in the middle of a massive headache. Babar Azam, a few days ago, stepped down as the captain of the team, and this leaves management led by Gary Kirsten and the board in a dilemma as to who to appoint as the next captain.

PCB has given full authority of the white-ball team to Gary Kirsten, and with him not being there, especially with a new captain set to be announced, it leaves many wondering about the head coach heading back home.

Kirsten, since the last few months, has been actively involved in Pakistan Cricket. He was in Lahore and Faisalabad, watching the Champions Cup, and also attended several meetings with the selectors and board officials on the state of Pakistan cricket.

Gary Kirsten will be joining the Pakistan team in Melbourne

The source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, confirmed that Kirsten was available for the team and board whenever his input was required or he wanted to talk to the selectors or players. He also will be part of the discussion on captaincy.

The source close to PCB also confirmed that Kirsten will be joining the Pakistan team directly in Melbourne on October 29 for the white ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Speaking to PTI, he explained:

"Kirsten will join the Pakistan squad directly in Melbourne on October 29 for the white ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa."

Pakistan National Cricket Team will be on a hectic tour going ahead. They will be playing 18 games, out of which 9 will be ODIs and 9 will be T20Is, against three teams in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in November-December. The ODIs will also serve as a great preparation for them for Champions Trophy 2025.

Gary Kirsten and even Jason Gillespie have had discussions with other people on the selection committee over the captaincy issue - Reports

The source further stated that both Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have had conversations with the selection committee, and the new white-ball captain will be announced, keeping in mind the future. He added:

"Gary Kirsten and even Jason Gillespie have had discussions with other people on the selection committee over the captaincy issue but the decision will be taken keeping in mind the future and also the behaviour and recent performances of potential candidates."

Mohammad Rizwan likely to be the new Pakistan white-ball skipper

With Babar Azam stepping down as the captain of the white-ball team, there have been various reports suggesting that Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi are the prime candidates to take over the role. The decision is likely to be announced soon.

The source concluded by saying that Rizwan might become Pakistan's white-ball captain with a younger player as his deputy so that the team management can manage his workload.