Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie appointed as Pakistan coaches

Gary Kirsten, the renowned former coach of the Indian cricket team that clinched the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2011, has been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan white ball team. This announcement was made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday. Alongside Kirsten, former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been named the head coach for the Test side, while Azhar Mahmood will serve as an assistant coach across all formats. These appointments are set for a two-year term following a rigorous recruitment process conducted by the PCB.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his congratulations to Gillespie and Kirsten, highlighting their impressive coaching backgrounds. Naqvi emphasized Gillespie's success in player development and team performance, as well as Kirsten's track record in instilling a winning mentality and nurturing young talent.

Kirsten, currently working as the batting coach and mentor for Gujarat Titans, will assume his role with the Pakistan team after completing his commitments in the IPL. His responsibilities will include leading the team in various upcoming tournaments such as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Kirsten stated his commitment to helping the Pakistan national team excel in limited-overs cricket. He emphasized the importance of creating a stable environment for players to perform at their best and pledged to prioritize continuity in team selections.

Gillespie, on the other hand, will focus on the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa in the upcoming season. With a successful coaching career at various clubs, Gillespie expressed his love for Test cricket and his eagerness to work with the talented players in Pakistan to achieve success in the longer format of the game.

In conclusion, the appointments of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie bring a wealth of coaching experience and expertise to the Pakistan cricket setup, setting the stage for a promising future for the national team across all formats.