The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed the idea of dual coaching when it revealed on Sunday, April 28, that Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie would be leading the men’s side in various forms. Gillespie will be leading the Test team, and Kirsten has been assigned to manage Pakistan’s limited-overs teams. Azhar Mahmood will be the assistant coach in all formats. He was the acting head coach during the last T20I series against New Zealand. Mohsin Khan, the PCB’s chief, praised the additions and expressed the hope that the two former cricket players will contribute to the development of Pakistani cricket.
“Jason has had great success as a coach, both nationally and internationally, concentrating on developing players and attaining superior team performance. “Gary is one of the most respected and sought-after coaches in cricket because of his ability to instill a winning mentality, nurture young talent, and achieve success at the highest levels of the game,” Mohsin said of Gary’s coaching career.
Given this context, I am completely convinced that their knowledge will help our players achieve new heights in line with both our ardent fans’ expectations and their innate potential. These excellent appointments also offer our players a fantastic chance to learn from these seasoned pros, honing their abilities and strengthening their cricket knowledge.
The two-year contracts that Kirsten and Gillespie have agreed to for their respective roles are a much-needed step for Pakistan following the recent “musical chairs” incident involving the coaching staff. After serving as the head coach until the ODI World Cup in October and November, Grant Bradburn abruptly resigned in January of this year. Mickey Arthur, the team director, and Andrew Puttick, the batting coach, took over as the new head coach. The appointment of former captain Mohammad Hafeez as head coach followed, a decision that was short-lived due to a single international trip of Australia.
Having coached for over ten years, Gillespie’s most noteworthy accomplishments have been with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and Yorkshire in the County Circuit. The former fast bowler played a key role in the great Australian cricket teams of the 1990s and early 2000s. Kirsten’s coaching resume is more impressive; in 2011, she led India to the ODI World Cup championship. During his tenure with the Indian squad from 2008 to 2011, they managed to secure the top spot in Test cricket rankings. Before joining the Indian Premier League teams in Delhi and Bangalore, the former batting great from South Africa also served as a coach in his own nation. He is currently the batting coach/mentor for the Gujarat team in the Indian Premier League.
It’s an immense privilege to be given the job of leading the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket and to return to the world of international cricket after a hiatus. Regarding his new position in international cricket, Kirsten stated, “I am really excited about this chance and hope to positively impact the Pakistan men’s national team in limited-overs cricket.”
“Cricket’s worldwide appeal is one of its lovely features. When we talk about the game, we have a common understanding across cultural boundaries. My mission is to bring the Pakistan men’s white-ball team together, utilize their exceptional skill to work toward a single goal, and help them succeed on the pitch as a team.
“Over the years, my viewpoint on Pakistani cricket has not changed. The squad is constantly expected to perform at a high standard on a regular basis. But in team sports, it’s not always easy to stay at the top of your game. It gives me great satisfaction as a coach to see players reach their greatest potential. I’m excited to work with each player individually as well as the squad to support their progress.
“Players from Pakistan are well-known to cricket fans around the world, as they demonstrate their abilities on a variety of platforms. Watching them play the game is a true pleasure.
It is critical to comprehend the team’s existing situation and map out a course to achieve our intended outcomes. Winning ICC Events is still a major goal even though it’s difficult. Success in these tournaments, either it the June tournament or future events, would be an incredible achievement.
“My main goal is to make sure the squad performs at its best. For the squad to succeed on the field, optimal performance is required. I’m a firm believer in continuity and consistency. While changes in player shape are unavoidable, it’s critical to keep the surroundings steady. I’m dedicated to helping players through their highs and lows, giving continuity in selections priority wherever it’s practical.”
After the current IPL season concludes, Kirsten will assume his responsibilities as the white-ball coach, with an immediate focus on the T20 World Cup in June of this year. Pakistan is also scheduled to host the Champions Trophy the following year, and plans are in motion to host the next ODI World Cup in 2027. The World Test Championship cycle will present Gillespie with early hurdles in the form of home series against Bangladesh and England, followed by a tour to South Africa. The Australian came across as positive about his most recent assignment as a coach.
“I am appreciative of the PCB’s belief in my talents and for granting me the privilege of leading one of the best and most accomplished cricket teams in the game’s conventional format. Given its illustrious history and fervent fan base, coaching the Pakistan cricket team is a significant accomplishment for any coach,” Gillespie remarked.
“I enjoy being able to concentrate on Test cricket because I adore the sport. The fact that Pakistan has such a large talent pool is another thing I adore. I like to think that I can contribute in some small manner to the players’ development. I’m taking this role because I want to win tests. I enjoy winning, and I’m confident we have what it takes to succeed.
“The pinnacle of the Test format is the ICC World Test Championship. I am aware that this cycle will probably prove to be too difficult for us to complete because we will need to win a lot of games quickly in order to have any chance of qualifying for the final. However, our long-term objective should be to aim for both making the final and winning it.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to playing the kind of cricket we want to play—a style that wins us games, thrills the supporters, and makes everyone associated with Pakistani cricket happy.
Utilizing the many excellent fast bowlers that Pakistan has to offer will be essential to any success we experience. However, we are strong in all areas, including keeping, batting, pace, and spin. We’ve covered every angle. Knowing that we have such skill excites me, and I am excited to collaborate with such gifted athletes.
“I am aware that the role has expectations, which I acknowledge. All I can do is handle everything as it comes, and I never would have accepted the job if I didn’t think I could handle it.”
