Despite signing a two-year contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Gary Kirsten has yet to commence his duties as head coach. The South African is currently associated with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has prevented him from joining the Pakistan team. Initially, Kirsten’s appointment was met with optimism, but his decision to join a team meeting remotely has sparked widespread criticism. While in India, Kirsten joined the meeting via video call, while the Pakistan players were present in a conference room. The PCB shared a video of the meeting on Twitter, eliciting a barrage of negative comments from fans. Many expressed concerns about the effectiveness of virtual coaching, with one fan remarking, “How do players learn from a coach through a laptop screen?” Another fan drew parallels to the tenure of Mickey Arthur, who conducted online coaching sessions for the Pakistan team and was perceived to have negatively impacted the side’s performance. Until Kirsten’s arrival, former Pakistan Test cricketer Azhar Mahmood will serve as the interim head coach. Kirsten’s return date remains uncertain and contingent on the performance of Gujarat Titans in the IPL. According to a PTI report, a PCB official indicated that if Gujarat Titans fails to qualify for the IPL playoffs, Kirsten could potentially be available for the upcoming England T20 series. However, he will not be present for Pakistan’s tour of Ireland. Kirsten’s coaching staff will include Mahmood as assistant coach, batting coach Muhammad Yousuf, and spin bowling coach Saeed Ajmal.
Gary Kirsten’s Remote Coaching Sparks Outrage Among Pakistan Cricket Fans
