The board has confirmed the news. Jason Gillespie would join as the new head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. Gary Kirsten’s resignation had earlier been making waves on the internet already but the development is finally confirmed now. As a replacement, Gillespie will be looking to train the ODI and T20 teams from Pakistan in the Australia tour.
Sources close to the matter claim that Kirsten’s resignation was a week after weeks of tension from the PCB. Kirsten, who started working for the team in May, complained about changes made recently to the job. According to statements, the former South African coach had an argument over team selection authority and related decisions on support staff when dealing with the PCB.
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Kirsten apparently wanted an increased say in the selection committee and was frustrated that it was not giving him a free hand with his picks. Moreover, Gillespie, despite the new role, does not seem quite satisfied. He reportedly complained about being only a match-day analyst.
Sources say that the problems regarding the terms of the contract were still not settled for Kirsten. Though he had agreed to one-month leave every year, he had apparently wished that his visit to Pakistan must be restricted only to camps for training and series, actively played. Kirsten left Pakistan after the Champions Cup which only increased rumours about the long-term future of the side.
Pakistan was quick to look for its next coach and already reached “final-stage” discussions with former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed but decided to go ahead and appoint Gillespie, putting the onerous burden of reviving Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams before a brutal series in Australia.
Pakistan cricket now starts a new leg with Gillespie on the bat, but the questions prevail as to what stability exists and what leadership dynamics go on at the board.
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