The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, is set to appoint Gary Kirsten as head coach and Jason Gillespie as his assistant for the limited-overs format. This move comes after the PCB faced setbacks with several high-profile candidates declining offers in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.
Shane Watson and Darren Sammy were reportedly in contention but chose to prioritize their commitments with the Indian Premier League (IPL) commentary and Cricket West Indies, respectively. This follows a trend of foreign coaches being hesitant to accept PCB offers, possibly due to the Board’s history of terminating coaching contracts prematurely under previous leadership.
However, Naqvi is determined to implement a coaching structure with both foreign and local expertise. With a packed T20I schedule featuring a five-match series at home against New Zealand, followed by tours of England and Ireland, culminating in the T20 World Cup, the PCB is eager to solidify its coaching setup.
Both Kirsten and Gillespie bring a wealth of experience. Gillespie, known for his successful stint with Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) and South Australia, has also served as the bowling coach for the Punjab Kings in the IPL. Kirsten, on the other hand, boasts an impressive record as the coach of the Indian cricket team, and is currently associated with the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024.
While the limited-overs coaching roles seem to be filled, the PCB is still on the lookout for a dedicated Test cricket coach. This appointment will complete the coaching panel as Pakistan gears up for a crucial period in international cricket.
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