Sports

PCB selects Gillespie as white-ball coach after Kirsten resigns

Jason Gillespie will be Pakistan's white-ball coach for upcoming tour to Australia

By Sohail Imran

October 28, 2024

Pakistans red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie (left) and former coach Gary Kirsten. — AFP/File — Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie (left) and former coach Gary Kirsten. — AFP/File

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday accepted the resignation of now-former white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten and announced that red-ball coach Jason Gillespie will assume the former's responsibilities during the upcoming tour to Australia.

Gillespie, who is Green Shirts' red-ball head coach, will accompany the team for their upcoming ODI and T20I series against the Kangaroos set to commence on November 4.

The national side is set to play three ODIs and T20Is each against the Kangaroos which will be followed by a series against Zimbabwe with the same number of matches.

It is to be noted that Kirsten and Gillespie were appointed as white and red-ball coaches, respectively on two-year contracts in April this year.

Gillespie's new role comes after Kirsten resigned after differences emerged between him and the PCB over various matters.

Speaking to Geo News, Kirsten said that he has read about the claims against him in the light of the development and he will respond to it today.

"I'll state all reasons behind my decision to resign in it," he added.

Sources had earlier told Geo News that Kirsten refused to stay in Pakistan, as provisioned in his contract but also insisted on joining the team five or six days before the series or tour.

He had also failed to ensure his availability during and after the Champions Cup despite being reminded of his mandatory availability for 11 months as required by his contract with the board.

Kirsten had also insisted on having his preferences considered for the white-ball team and the categories in the central contracts.

Apart from threatening to not accompany the team on the Australia tour until mental performance coach David Reid's contract was addressed, another point of contention between the PCB and the now-former head coach was the issue of the selection committee.

The panel, which previously included the head coaches but the PCB, earlier this month, was revamped by the PCB which saw coaches and captain being removed from the committee which now comprises five members namely Aqib Javed Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema.

With Kirsten out of the picture, selection committee member Javed has emerged as the leading contender to replace the former South African cricketer as the team's white-ball head coach.

Sources say that consultations with Javed on the said matter are in the final phase and with the ex-cricketer having the final say a breakthrough is expected today.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the sources added, had tasked the board to hire a new coach with Gillespie being the first choice for interim head coach in the Australia series.