Gary Kirsten has stepped down from his role as head coach for Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams just six months after his appointment, sources revealed on Monday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed his resignation in an official statement.
Kirsten, a former South African top-order batter, took charge of Pakistan’s white-ball squad on April 28. His tenure included a challenging stint at the 2024 ICC World Cup, where Pakistan faced early elimination after losing their initial matches from strong positions.
During his short time with the team, Kirsten’s influence was reportedly limited as the PCB restructured the men’s national selection committee, reducing his role in squad decisions. The PCB recently announced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain for limited-overs formats, with Agha Salman as vice-captain, in Kirsten’s absence from both the country and the announcement.
Reports indicate that Kirsten’s sidelined role in squad selections and leadership decisions led to tensions with the PCB. Kirsten is said to have pushed for more involvement in team and captaincy choices, sparking “animated discussions” with PCB officials, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Despite his expertise, the PCB ultimately handed selection authority exclusively to a committee that did not include Kirsten, marking a significant departure from his expectations.
Kirsten’s departure closes a brief and controversial chapter in Pakistan cricket, with no ODI matches played under his leadership, an ironic note given his prior success as head coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian team.