Gary Kirsten to be jailed in Pakistan? FIRs get involved as Former Pakistan President threatens the Head Coach

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 fiasco still fresh, former Pakistan President Arif-ur-Rehman Alvi got involved in the storm surrounding Gary Kirsten's alleged scathing remarks about the Pakistan cricket team.

After the Pakistan cricket team’s early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Kirsten’s private outburst has become a lightning rod for controversy, leaked by journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq on social media platform X, and it has been all over the internet, grabbing a lot of attention and criticism.

Gary Kirsten's scathing remarks on the Pakistan cricket team ignite controversy

The Pakistan head coach has reportedly lambasted the players in a post-mortem of their group-stage performance in the tournament. Kirsten was quoted by Ihtisham Ul Haq: “There's no unity in Pakistan's team. They call it a team, but it isn't a team. They aren't supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I've worked with many teams, but I've never seen such a situation.”

Pakistan’s coach Gary Kirsten shocking statement,

“There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team, They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I’ve worked with many teams, but I’ve never seen such a situation”.

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 17, 2024

The uproar began after Pakistan's humiliating start to their T20 World Cup 2025 campaign with a shocking loss to debutants USA and a crushing defeat against arch-rivals India. Despite winning Group A games against Canada and Ireland, these wins were insufficient to propel the Men in Green into the 'Super 8' stage of the ongoing showpiece event.

Adding fuel to the fire, GeoSuper reported that Kirsten also criticized the Pakistani players' fitness and skill levels, claiming they are far behind global standards despite having enough international experience. This double-barrelled critique has embarrassed the Pakistan cricket team.

Former President Alvi takes sarcastic swipe at Gary Kirsten amid Pakistan cricket turmoil

Now, former Pakistani President Alvi's reaction has only intensified the situation. In a public statement, Dr. Alvi expressed his disappointment over the recent developments on and off the field, accusing Kirsten of attacking the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan before joking about his sharp social media attack.

As Kirsten's alarming statements serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the team, prompting debates on social media, Alvi has jokingly told Kirsten that he was just joking and urged the South African legend to do his best to salvage their beleaguered cricket team.

Arif Alvi posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “For us in Pakistan, there is an easy solution to this serious allegation. This is an attack on the solidarity & integrity of Pakistan. We have information from credible sources (cipher) that cannot be revealed that he is working under the direct influence of foreign interests against our ideology.

The patron of the PCB has ordered immediate action that includes registration of FIRs in all the cricket playing centers of Pakistan and his name is put on the ECL. For Gary! Don't worry the above is just a pun. Do your best to salvage our beleaguered cricket team.”

For us in Pakistan there is an easy solution to this serious allegation.

یہ تو ہمارے لیئے بائیں ہاتھ کا کھیل ہے۔

This is an attack on the solidarity & integrity of Pakistan. We have information from credible sources (cipher) that cannot be revealed that he is working under the… https://t.co/9dq0is1ufF

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) June 17, 2024

Turmoil in Pakistan cricket has intensified, with reports of infighting, cold war, and blame games surfacing during their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. Pakistani media, cricket experts, and fans claim the team is divided into groups led by Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Babar and Shaheen's alleged rift has created a toxic environment, impacting the team's unity and performance in the tournament.