Gary Kirsten's replacement for Australia finalised by PCB

In a shocking move, Gary Kirsten has resigned as head coach of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams just six months after his appointment. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had signed Gary Kirsten on a two-year contract in April 2024, but the former Indian coach suddenly decided to part ways with Pakistan.

Kirsten resigned as the white-ball head coach with immediate effects only one week before Pakistan’s very important tour of Australia, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is from November 4 and will then travel to Zimbabwe.

PCB accepts Gary Kirsten’s resignation just days before Australia tour

It is a big setback for the Pakistan cricket team, but for more surprise, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly accepted Gary Kirsten’s resignation, which is a clear hint that there was a rift. It is being said that the PCB convinced their Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, to step in as head coach for the upcoming Australia tour.

A senior Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq, claimed that the board accepted Kirsten’s resignation and handed over the responsibility of guiding the Pakistan team on the upcoming Australia tour. He posted on X: “Jason Gillespie will be the coach of the Pakistan team in the tour of Australia; PCB accepted the resignation of Gary Kirsten.”

دورئہ آسٹریلیا میں جیسن گلیسپی پاکستانی ٹیم کے کوچ کی ذمہ داری نبھائیں گے،پی سی بی نے گیری کرسٹن کا استعفی منظور کر لیا

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 28, 2024

PCB confirms accepting Gary Kirsten's resignation and Jason Gillespie's appointment

Later, the PCB also confirmed that they have accepted the resignation of Kirsten as the white-ball head coach. The board also announced naming Jason Gillespie as the interim white-ball coach only for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Australia next month.

The PCB said in an official statement: “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 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.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2024

Meanwhile, it is being said that the rift began when the board decided not to give any power to the coaches in the selection process, and Gary didn’t welcome this strategy. The board has given all the responsibility to a newly formed selection committee in terms of team selection.

Jason Gillespie also expressed his surprise and disappointment regarding this change. The former Australian pacer revealed that he now felt demoted to the position of a "match-day analyst," far from the comprehensive coaching responsibilities he had anticipated when taking on the job.

Pakistan selectors have not sought any advice from Kirsten on white-ball squads and new captain selection!

On the other hand, Kirsten remained silent publicly, but insiders claimed that he was equally dismayed by the board's recent actions. It is being said that the delay in finalizing the squad for upcoming tours and appointing a new limited-overs captain was because of intense discussions within the board. Kirsten had hoped to have his words in these important decisions.

And when the board announced Mohammed Rizwan as the new captain at a press conference in Lahore, Kirsten was not there. The announcement was made by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, selector Aaqib Javed, and newly appointed vice-captain Salman Agha. This left the South African legend disheartened, and he suddenly resigned from his position.