Gary Kirsten steps down as Pakistan's white-ball head coach

Pakistan cricket has been hit by a major blow, as Gary Kirsten has stepped down as the national team's white-ball coach, just months before the Champions Trophy.

As per a Cricbuzz report, the situation deteriorated due to serious differences between Kirsten and the players. A major point of contention arose when Kirsten's request to appoint David Reid as High Performance coach was rejected by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with the board's alternative suggestions failing to meet Kirsten's approval.

Kirsten's tenure, which began in mid-May 2024 after his stint with Gujarat Titans in the IPL, witnessed disappointing results.

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No unity in Pakistan's team: Gary Kirsten

Under his guidance, Pakistan suffered a bilateral series loss to England and struggled in the T20 World Cup 2024, where losses to the United States and India hindered their campaign. Following the team's elimination, Kirsten made headlines with his reportedly bold claims about the team's dynamics.

"There's no unity in Pakistan's team. They call it a team, but it isn't a team. They aren't supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I've worked with many teams, but I've never seen such a situation," Kirsten said as per reports.

With the Champions Trophy less than four months away and Pakistan's first time hosting an ICC tournament in over two decades, Kirsten's departure is a major hit for the team.

The PCB is expected to act quickly in appointing a replacement. Current red-ball coach Jason Gillespie could potentially take on additional white-ball responsibilities.

However, the more likely scenario appears to be the appointment of Aaqib Javed, a former Pakistan pacer and current national selector, who recently received praise for his role in Pakistan's successful Test series victory over England.