The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday that the national team’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, has resigned from the role, with Test head coach Jason Gillespie to lead the side during next month’s limited-overs tour of Australia.

On April 28, the Board appointed Kirsten, a former South Africa top-order batter, as the white-ball head coach for the men’s national team.

He coached the side in World Cup 2024 where the Green Shirts suffered a humiliating exit after losing both of their first two matches from winning positions.

The cricket board made a number of changes to the composition of the men’s national selection committee during Kirsten’s short stint, reportedly limiting his powers.

Separately, the PCB also announced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as captain and batting all-rounder Agha Salman as the vice-captain of the cricket team for the white-ball format yesterday with Kirsten not even being in the country, let alone the press conference.

The South African had stepped down from the position exactly six months after his appointment, ESPNcricinfo had earlier reported.

ESPNcricinfo reported that a rift had developed between the head coach and the PCB after the board decided to strip Kirsten of a say in the selection process.

The authority was instead “exclusively” handed over to a selection committee, which did not include Kirsten.

Kirsten was “keen” to have his “input taken into consideration” regarding the announcement of a squad and new limited-overs captain which went down to “animated discussions” with the board, ESPN said.

However, the decision was taken when Kirsten was not in the country, it added.

Pakistan did not play a single ODI match under Kirsten’s leadership, a format in which he won the cricket World Cup with India in 2011.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.