Pakistan’s Coaching Turmoil: Ramiz Raja Raises Concerns over Hiring International Talent
Pakistan’s Coaching Turmoil: Ramiz Raja Expresses Concerns over Hiring International Talent
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has raised concerns about the challenges Pakistan faces in attracting international coaching talent following the departure of Gary Kirsten as white-ball head coach.
Raja’s comments come amidst a period of significant upheaval in Pakistan cricket, with Rizwan’s appointment as white-ball captain, Kirsten’s resignation, and the subsequent hiring of Jason Gillespie as all-format head coach.
Speaking to reporters, Raja acknowledged the backlash PCB has faced over Kirsten’s resignation. He emphasized the importance of providing clarity to international coaches about their roles and responsibilities.
“When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash that you will probably get from Gary Kirsten’s resignation… it’s not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent,” Raja said.
He added that Kirsten’s departure was a setback for Pakistan, as they needed an experienced hand. “It’s not great news [Kirsten’s departure] because Pakistan needed an experienced hand. From a distance, it doesn’t look great just before a tour,” Raja said.
Kirsten’s resignation came just six months into his tenure, without having managed Pakistan in a single ODI match. His primary assignment was the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan suffered an early exit in the group stage.
Raja’s concerns highlight the challenges Pakistan faces in attracting and retaining top-quality international coaches. The PCB has faced criticism for its handling of coaching appointments and its lack of clarity in defining roles and responsibilities.
As Pakistan prepares for upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, the PCB will need to address these concerns and find a way to attract and retain the best possible coaching talent to guide the team to success.