Pakistan appoints Gillespie and Kirsten to lead the men’s team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) welcomed the idea of dual coaching when it was revealed on Sunday, April 28. Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie would be leading the men’s side in various forms. Gillespie will be leading the Test team, and Kirsten has been assigned to manage Pakistan’s limited-overs teams. In every format, Azhar Mahmood will serve as the assistant coach.

He was the acting head coach during the last T20I series against New Zealand. Mohsin Khan, the PCB’s chief, praised the additions and expressed the hope that the two former cricket players will contribute to the development of Pakistani cricket.

“Jason has had great success coaching both domestically and internationally. He put a strong emphasis on developing players and attaining superior team performance. Gary is one of the most respected and sought-after coaches in cricket. It is because of his ability to instill a winning mentality, nurture young talent, and achieve success at the top levels of the sport Mohsin stated of Gary’s coaching background.

Given this context, I am completely convinced that their knowledge will help our players achieve new heights in line with both our ardent fans’ expectations and their innate potential. These excellent appointments also offer our players a fantastic chance to learn from these seasoned pros, honing their abilities and strengthening their cricket knowledge.

The two-year contracts that Kirsten and Gillespie have agreed to for their respective roles are a much-needed step for Pakistan following the recent “musical chairs” incident involving the coaching staff. After serving as the head coach until the ODI World Cup in October and November, Grant Bradburn abruptly resigned in January of this year. Mickey Arthur, the team director, and Andrew Puttick, the batting coach, took over as the new head coach. The appointment of former captain Mohammad Hafeez as head coach followed a short-lived decision. It was due to a single international trip to Australia.

Having coached for over ten years, Gillespie’s most noteworthy accomplishments have been with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and Yorkshire in the County Circuit. The former fast bowler played a key role in the great Australian cricket teams. Kirsten’s coaching resume is more impressive. She led India to the ODI World Cup championship. During his tenure with the Indian squad they managed to secure the top spot in Test cricket rankings. Before joining the Indian Premier League teams in Delhi and Bangalore, the former legend of South African batting also served as a coach in his nation. He is currently the batting coach/mentor for the Gujarat team in the Indian Premier League.

It’s an immense privilege to be given the job of leading the Pakistan men’s national team in white ball cricket and to return to the world of international cricket after a hiatus. Regarding his new position in international cricket, Kirsten stated, I am excited about this chance. I hope to positively impact the Pakistan men’s national team in limited-overs cricket.

“Cricket’s worldwide appeal is one of its lovely features. When we talk about the game, we have a common understanding across cultural boundaries. My mission is to bring the Pakistan men’s white-ball team together, utilize their exceptional skills to work toward a single goal, and help them succeed on the pitch as a team.

Over the years, my viewpoint on Pakistani cricket has not changed. The squad is constantly expected to perform at a high standard regularly. But in team sports, it is not always easy to stay at the top of your game. It gives me great satisfaction as a coach to see players reach their greatest potential. I am excited to work with each player individually as well as the squad to support their progress.

Pakistani cricket players are known to fans across the globe due to their ability to showcase their talents on a variety of playgrounds. Watching them play the game is a true pleasure.

It is critical to comprehend the team’s existing situation and map out a course to achieve our intended outcomes. Winning ICC Events is still a major goal even though it’s difficult. Success in these tournaments, either in the June tournament or future events, would be an incredible achievement.

Ensuring optimal squad performance is my primary objective. For the squad to succeed on the field, optimal performance is required. I firmly think that consistency and continuity are important. While changes in player shape are unavoidable, it’s critical to keep the surroundings steady. My dedication is to help players through their highs and lows, giving continuity in selections priority wherever it’s practical.

After the current IPL season concludes, Kirsten will assume his responsibilities as the white-ball coach, with an immediate focus on the T20 World Cup in June of this year. Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy the following year. Its plans are in motion to host the next ODI World Cup in 2027. The World Test Championship cycle will present
Gillespie with early hurdles in the form of a home series against Bangladesh and England, followed by a tour to South Africa. The Australian came across as positive about his most recent assignment as a coach.

I am grateful that the PCB has faith in my abilities. They have allowed me to manage one of the most successful teams in the traditional format of cricket. Given its illustrious history and fervent fan base, coaching the Pakistan cricket team is a significant accomplishment for any coach,” Gillespie remarked.

“I enjoy being able to concentrate on Test cricket because I adore the sport. The fact that Pakistan has such a large talent pool is another thing I adore. I like to think that I can contribute in some small manner to the players’ development. I’m taking this role because I want to win tests. I enjoy winning, and I’m confident we have what it takes to succeed.

“The pinnacle of the Test format is the ICC World Test Championship. I am aware that this cycle will probably prove to be too difficult for us to complete. It is because we will need to win a lot of games quickly to have any chance of qualifying for the final. However, our long-term objective should be to aim for both making the final and winning it.

it all comes down to playing the kind of cricket we want to play with a style that wins us games. It makes everyone associated with Pakistani cricket happy.

Utilizing the many excellent fast bowlers that Pakistan has to offer will be essential to any success we experience. However, we are strong in all areas, including keeping, batting, pace, and spin. We’ve covered every angle. Knowing that we have such skill excites me, and I am excited to collaborate with such gifted athletes.

“I am aware that the role has expectations, which I acknowledge. All I can do is handle everything as it comes. I never would have accepted the job if I didn’t think I could handle it.”