Kirsten Was Unhappy, Had Dispute With PCB: Report Suggest Aqib Javed In Line To Be Pakistan’s White-Ball Coach – News18

Last Updated:October 28, 2024, 20:10 IST

Current senior selector Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are are in fray to replace Gary Kirsten.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seeking a new white-ball coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation. On Monday, the board confirmed the former South Africa batter’s departure and announced Test coach Jason Gillespie as his interim replacement for the upcoming Australia tour. However, the former Australian fast bowler has indicated his preference for this to be a temporary arrangement.

According to PTI, both Kirsten and Gillespie were dissatisfied with the selectors’ newly acquired authority to make final decisions.

“The problem is both Kirsten and Gillespie were not happy with their sudden demotion in powers with the selectors given powers to call all the shots,” a source told the agency.

“The situation now is that the PCB has to appoint a new white-ball coach, given the number of white-ball commitments of the national team coming up and leading up to the Champions Trophy early next year,” he added.

The report suggests that Current senior selector Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are are in fray to replace Gary Kirsten.

“One option is to let assistant coach Azhar Mahmood continue as interim head coach but Aaqib or Saqlain could also land the job,” he added.

The PCB has not officially commented on Kirsten’s resignation, and the former South African player has also remained silent. The report further alleges a dispute between Kirsten and the PCB.

“Look we had high hopes from Kirsten when we entered into a two-year contract with him. The idea was he could help the PCB to revolutionise the white-ball team.

“But he did not have a single camp in Pakistan for any of the white-ball teams. He was not present at the white-ball camps of the Shaheens throughout the summer. And it all culminated with him missing the majority of the Champions Cup,” the source added.

Another complaint against Kirsten is that despite his contract stipulating a maximum of 30 days of vacation per year, he spent less than 30 days in Pakistan after joining. The PCB was also unhappy with Kirsten’s insistence on hiring more foreign coaches, and the dispute escalated when the board revoked the coaches’ selection powers.

The PCB had previously sidelined and pressured foreign coaches, including Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn, to resign after the previous year’s World Cup.

(With Agency Inputs)