Kevin Pietersen Slams Pakistan After Gary Kirsten Resigns As White-Ball Head Coach – News18

Last Updated:October 29, 2024, 07:50 IST

Gary Kirsten was appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach in April 2024, but within six months he stepped down from his role.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen took to X on Monday to slam Pakistan after Gary Kirsten resigned as head coach of the Men in Green white-ball teams. The former South African batter, who won the ODI World Cup as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team and took South Africa to No. 1 position in all three formats of the game during his time with the Proteas, joined the Pakistan team as white-ball head coach in April 2024, but his tenure could last only six months.

There were reports of differences between him and Pakistani players, and he also wasn’t happy with the recent changes in Pakistan cricket set-up.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to X on Monday to confirm Kirsten’s decision to quit the role and appointed Test head coach Jason Gillespie as coach for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted.”

Pietersen, who is one of the greatest English batters of all time, was stunned by Kirsten’s decision and lashed out at Pakistan cricket for losing the legendary coach.

“How can Pakistan Cricket lose Gary Kirsten’s with his resume in coaching? One step forward the last few weeks and two steps back today! Stop doing it to yourselves. Too much talent to keep doing this kind of stuff!”

According to reports in Pakistan, former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is leading the race to become the new head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. If all things go as per plan, then Mushtaq will take charge of the team from the Zimbabwe tour onwards.

After playing three ODIs and as many T20Is in Australia, Pakistan will travel to Zimbabwe for three ODIs and three-match T20I series in November-December and then face South Africa in three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.

Mohammad Rizwan will make his full-time debut as captain of Pakistan white-ball teams in the Australia tour, and in his absence, Salman Ali Agha will lead the 2009 T20 World Cup winners in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in December.