In a big development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have finalised two different coaches for their white-ball and red-ball roles on the national side. The likes of Gary Kirsten has been reportedly roped in for the ODI & T20I coaching duties, while Australian Jason Gillespie is all set to take over the red-ball duties.
The official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to come and is expected to be made sooner.
“PCB intends to allocate specific coaching roles to Kirsten and Gillespie, focusing on the different formats of the game”, said a source in the PCB.
Gary Kirsten, who has been appointed as the ODI & T20I coach for the Men in Green, has a rich portfolio in his coaching career. He led Team India to their second ICC ODI World Cup title back in 2011 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. He is currently involved in the TATA IPL 2024 as the batting coach and mentor of the Gujarat Titans, who won the IPL in its maiden season in 2022.
Besides these two appointments, Gary Kirsten has also had the reins of heading the South African national side from 2011-2013, Hobart Hurricane in 2017-18 and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2017-19.
Jason Gillespie, who has been appointed for the red-ball duties, has also had a brilliant coaching career so far. The former Australian pacer has had various coaching appointments throughout his career.
He started with Zimbabwe back in 2010 as their coach. He was roped in by Kings XI Punjab in 2011 as bowling coach, followed by a stint in the English county sides. He also has the experience of coaching Adelaide Strikers in the BBL.
Notably, Pakistan’s coaching seats were left vacant after the likes of Mickey Arthur, Andrew Puttick and Grant Bradburn were transferred to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), earlier this year, after their stint with the senior men’s side.
Pakistan is set to take on New Zealand in the five-match home T20I series, starting April 18. The coaches are likely to be made official before Pakistan and New Zealand series begins.
Pakistan’s next major assignment will be the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The tournament begins in June and Pakistan will certainly fancy themselves to bag their second World Cup title.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s national men’s side is currently in Abbottabad for intense physical training module ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green are involved in various activities aimed at improving their fitness standards at the Army School of Physical Training in Kakul.