NEW DELHI: Gary Kirsten stepped down as Pakistan’s limited-overs coach just a week before the Pakistan tour of Australia. The decision of Gary Kirsten comes on the heels of PCB restructuring the coaching roles and head coaches vacating the selection committee after the loss to England during the first Test.
Former Pakistani cricketer and commentator in Dubai, Danish Kaneria, hailed Kirsten’s decision to leave for his own good. Kaneria reasoned, ‘It is not possible to bring a person in and expect him to perform wonders in the first 6 months. That’s the only reason he didn’t like how things went after the World Cup – people were hurling insults at him, the media was hurling insults at him, everything.
‘So, a guy like Gary is not going to take that, and Gary has made a good decision that he will not continue with Pakistan. But it is a big loss for the Pakistan team as a whole considering the fact that innumerable experience Gary has got especially the youngsters will benefit the most.’ Gary went on.
Danish Kaneria also felt once the PCB’s selectors of the days past have been changed, they can begin the search for Australia’s new coach. He remarked, “Well, they have a job on their hands to begin with, firing the selectors who were in charge the last 9 months.
The involvement of head coaches and newly appointed captains from both formats in the selection committee has led to conflicts. To address these issues, the cricket board has reassigned all selection authority to a newly formed committee. This decision follows the team’s heavy defeat against England by an innings and 47 runs, aiming to streamline decision-making and improve team performance through a more focused selection process.
After England’s series win, Kaneria also spoke of the fancied role of the coach in the selection process. Kaneria said, ‘I think there could have been concerns about the coach creating our ambitions of being part of the selection panel, however, they have to look ahead as they have won the series and some good news has come. I feel in due time the coach will try to get involved with the selection panel.’
Kaneria explained why international coaches were left out of the national selection committee, citing their ignorance of the domestic players. He said, “The international coaches are not a part of the selection committee because they have to stick to Pakistan to see the domestic games. I think it is the matter in this case.””
“The thing is that when an international coach comes in the first thing that happens is that he does not live or go watch any domestic cricket. So it is futile for them to be a part of us because, quite frankly, they don’t know. So you have to depend on the selectors because they are the ones that have been watching the players.” He said this in conclusion, Kaneria.
Kirsten was handed the position in April, and the contract was for two years. Let us now focus on the present; Pakistan was Tables from the T20 World Cup quite early, having lost to the US and India in the group rounds. Pakistan lost their Test series at home against Bangladesh too.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will play its first ODI since last year’s World Cup in India. This match against Australia is scheduled for November 4 in Melbourne, marking an important step for Pakistan’s ODI journey post-World Cup. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as the two teams face off.