Kirsten arrives back to scout talent for Champions Trophy 2025

LAHORE: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, arrived in Lahore on Friday to closely monitor the performances of players competing in the Champions One-Day Cup at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

Kirsten’s visit is part of his mission to build a formidable squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to take place in February.

Kirsten, who has been assigned the task of selecting top-performing players for the national team, will be attending the matches of the domestic tournament. His focus will be on identifying potential talents that can strengthen Pakistan’s squad for the prestigious international event.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, emphasized the significance of the Champions One-Day Cup, noting that it serves as a preparatory platform for Pakistan’s players ahead of the Champions Trophy. Naqvi further highlighted that the domestic tournament will provide an opportunity for players to hone their skills and make a case for selection in the national team.

In addition to attending the matches, Kirsten will also participate in a connection camp organized by the PCB. The camp is designed to facilitate discussions about the board’s future plans, focusing on both short-term and long-term strategies for the national team.

The Champions One-Day Cup kicked off on Thursday with a dominant performance by the UMT Markhors, who secured a 160-run victory against the Lake City Panthers in the tournament’s inaugural match. The second fixture of the tournament, featuring the Stallions and Lions.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s red-ball format head coach, Jason Gillespie, is set to arrive in Lahore on September 22, further enhancing the PCB’s efforts to strengthen the national squad across all formats.