Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of Gary Kirsten as the white-ball coach and Jason Gillespie as the red-ball coach ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Kirsten, renowned for guiding India to an ODI World Cup victory in 2011, is set to join Pakistan on May 22 in England. Gillespie, a former Australian speedster, brings a wealth of coaching experience, particularly from his successful stints in domestic and Big Bash League setups in Australia.
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Pakistan have appointed the 2011 World Cup winning coach, Gary Kirsten as head coach of their white ball team, while Jason Gillespie will serve as the head coach of the red-ball team, with Azhar Mahmood taking on the role of all-format assistant coach. pic.twitter.com/a2u1bJ4AIB
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi unveiled the appointments at a press conference in Lahore, expressing confidence in Kirsten and Gillespie’s stellar track records. Naqvi warmly welcomed the duo to the Pakistan cricket family, highlighting their expertise in player development, achieving excellence in team performance, and instilling a winning mentality.
Kirsten’s coaching career boasts significant achievements, marked by his ability to nurture young talent and achieve success at the game’s highest levels. On the other hand, Gillespie is recognized for his focus on player development and his track record of success both domestically and internationally.
Their expertise will guide our players to reach new heights: Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi emphasized the PCB’s commitment to providing top-tier resources and facilities to the national team, aiming to create an environment conducive to unlocking the players’ full potential and delivering stellar performances consistently. He noted that the appointments present an excellent opportunity for Pakistani players to learn from seasoned professionals like Kirsten and Gillespie, refining their skills and enhancing their cricketing acumen.
Kirsten’s appointment comes just a month before the T20 World Cup, filling the vacancy left by Mickey Arthur’s departure after the ODI World Cup 2023. Mohammad Hafeez briefly took over as the team director before being sacked following disappointing results in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier reports suggested former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was in contention for the Pakistan coaching role, but the deal fell through in March-April.
With Kirsten and Gillespie at the helm, Pakistan cricket aims to elevate its performance on the international stage, leveraging the expertise and experience of the new coaching staff to achieve success in the upcoming T20 World Cup and beyond.
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