Former India Coach, Gary Kirsten, Opens Up On Decision To Join Pakistan Team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a significant move on Sunday as they announced the appointment of World Cup-winning Gary Kirsten as their head coach for ODIs and T20Is, while former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie will take over that role in Test cricket. Kirsten has had successful stints with India and South Africa before, with his 2011 OD World Cup triumph with the MS Dhoni-led side arguably being the highlight. Along with them, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood was appointed as the assistant coach of the team across the formats.

Speaking of his decision to coach the Pakistan team, Kirsten said that his primary aim remains to unite the Pakistan white-ball team.

"It's a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan men's national team in white-ball cricket and to rejoin the international cricket arena after some time. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and aim to contribute positively to the Pakistan men's national team in limited-overs cricket. Kirsten's strategy focuses on prioritizing continuity in team selections, aiming to create a stable and consistent environment that allows players to perform at their best. He believes that maintaining a cohesive unit and building strong team dynamics are essential for the team's success in international competitions.

"One of the beautiful aspects of cricket is its universality. Across cultures, there's a shared understanding when we discuss the game. My goal is to unite the Pakistan men's white-ball team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective, and achieving success together on the field," he said.

Kirsten, who is currently the mentor of IPL side Gujarat Titans, is expected to take over from