Pakistan has unveiled its new coaching lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has enlisted Gary Kirsten as the coach for white-ball cricket and Jason Gillespie as the coach for red-ball cricket. Kirsten, who steered India to victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup, will commence his role with Pakistan on May 22 in England.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 28, 2024
PCB Chairman Welcomes Kirsten
“Their stellar track records precede them, and I warmly welcome them to the Pakistan cricket family,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.
“Jason’s coaching career has been marked by success both at the domestic and international levels, with a focus on player development and achieving excellence in team performance. Gary’s coaching career has been marked by his ability to instill a winning mentality, develop young talent, and achieve success at the highest levels of the game, making him one of the most respected and sought-after coaches in cricket,” he added.
Having most recently mentored the IPL franchise GT, Kirsten’s last stint as a national team coach was in 2013 when he led the South African side for three years. Joining him, former Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie will take charge as the head coach of the Test team. Gillespie is highly respected in Australia for his contributions to domestic and Big Bash League cricket.
Kirsten’s appointment as Pakistan’s coach comes just a month before the T20 World Cup. The head coach position had remained vacant since Mickey Arthur’s dismissal after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Following Arthur’s departure, Mohammad Hafeez briefly served as the team director before also being removed from the role due to disappointing results in Australia and New Zealand.
Previously, there were reports of former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson potentially assuming the coaching role for Pakistan, but that arrangement fell through during March-April.
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