Gary Kirsten’s resignation as Pakistan’s limited-overs coach has sparked discussions about the role of international coaches in team selection. Kirsten’s departure comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) restructured coaching roles and removed head coaches from the selection committee following Pakistan’s loss to England in the first Test.
Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria expressed support for Kirsten’s decision, citing the pressure and criticism he faced after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup and home Test series loss to Bangladesh. Kaneria emphasized that international coaches need time to adapt and perform, and that Kirsten’s experience would have been valuable for Pakistan’s young players.
The PCB’s decision to alter its selection committee has also raised questions. Previously, head coaches and captains had voting rights on the committee, but after Pakistan’s loss to England, the PCB delegated all selection powers to a newly formed committee.
Kaneria suggested that Kirsten may have wanted to be involved in the selection process, but that the PCB’s decision to exclude international coaches from the committee was justified. He explained that international coaches often lack familiarity with domestic players, which is crucial for effective selection.
Kirsten’s resignation leaves Pakistan without a limited-overs coach ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Australia. The team will face Australia in Melbourne on November 4, marking their first ODI since last year’s World Cup.
