Gary Kirsten Quits: Who Will Be Pakistan's Next White-Ball Head Coach?

Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach handed in his resignation on 28th October 2024, just six months after his appointment. 

Kirsten was appointed by the cricket board in April 2024 for a two-year period. 

The former South African legend took charge during the Pakistan tour of England 2024 which featured 4 T20I matches. 

During his tenure as the white-ball head coach, Pakistan lost the series against England and were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after suffering defeat at the hands of debutant USA and arch rivals India. 

According to some sources, Kirsten was having a few disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding central contracts and the selection of squads for the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe. 

Until a few days ago, the coach was a part of the selection committee and was entitled to vote during the squad selection process. 

However, after Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against England in the 1st test, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) overhauled the selection committee, removing the captain and coach from the selection process, which did not sit well with Gary Kirsten.

Ramiz Raja, former PCB chairman, expressed his concerns over Gary Kirsten’s sudden resignation. 

He stated that Kirsten’s decision will have a significant impact on the PCB’s chances of hiring international top-level coaches in the future. 

“When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash that you will probably get from Gary Kirsten’s resignation…it’s not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent,” Ramiz said.

“It’s not great news [Kirsten’s departure] because Pakistan needed an experienced hand. From a distance, it doesn’t look great just before a tour.”

Starting 4th November, Pakistan will engage in a 3-match ODI and 3-match T20I series against Australia on their home grounds. 

The series will mark Pakistan’s first ODI engagement after ODI World Cup 2023 and first T20I commitment after T20 World Cup 2024.