Lahore, October 28 (IANS). Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Jason Gillespie as the head coach for the limited overs series against Australia.
Gary Kirsten has resigned as Pakistan cricket team coach, which was officially accepted by the board on Monday and handed over the limited overs charge for the upcoming tour to Jason Gillespie.
“Gary Kirsten has tendered his resignation, which has been accepted,” the PCB posted on Twitter. Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan cricket team on Australia tour next month.
Kirsten has resigned after only six months in office. According to reports, there were differences between Kirsten and the PCB. These differences were especially regarding team selection and selection of the team for the upcoming series against Australia-Zimbabwe.
Former Australian fast bowler Gillespie is currently working as the head coach of Pakistan's red-ball team. He will now also take the responsibility of guiding the ODI and T20 teams. Three ODIs and as many T20 matches will be his first assignment in the upcoming tour starting from November 4 in Melbourne.
Kirsten's tenure as Pakistan head coach began in April 2024 after his successful performance with Gujarat Titans in the IPL. However, his journey with Pakistan was full of ups and downs. Under his leadership, the team suffered a series defeat against England and the Pakistan team flopped badly in the recent T20 World Cup, which also included defeats against USA and India.
After continued poor performances, the PCB had appointed a new selection panel. This is its third selection panel in three months, which includes former players Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Hasan Cheema. This committee took decisions without consulting the coaching staff or the team captain and this is believed to be the main reason for Kirsten's resignation.
The PCB on Sunday appointed wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of the limited overs team while all-rounder Salman Ali Aga was made the vice-captain. Rizwan replaces Babar Azam, who stepped down earlier this month ahead of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the US.
–IANS
AMJ/AS
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