PCB appoints Gillespie as head white-ball coach for tour of Australia following Kirsten’s resignation Up trends

Pakistan red ball coach Jason Gillespie and former coach Gary Kirsten. - Screenshot via YouTube@pakistancricket/AFP/File
Pakistan red ball coach Jason Gillespie and former coach Gary Kirsten. – Screenshot via YouTube@pakistancricket/AFP/File
  • Kirsten and PCB had disagreements over various matters.
  • Sources: Aaqib Javed is likely to be appointed as the new white-ball coach.
  • Consultations are in the final stage with a breakthrough expected today.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Jason Gillespie as head white-ball coach for the team’s tour of Australia after accepting Gary Kirsten’s resignation.

Gillespie, who is the Green Shirts’ red-ball coach, will accompany the team in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the Kangaroos scheduled to begin on November 4.

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

Gillespie’s new role comes after Kirsten resigned after disagreements emerged between him and the PCB Council over various matters.

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

talking to Geographic NewsKirsten said he had read about the allegations against him in light of the development and would respond to them today.

He added, “I will mention all the reasons that led me to decide to resign.”

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

He also failed to guarantee his availability during and after the Champions Cup despite being reminded of his mandatory 11-month availability as required in his contract with the board.

Kirsten also insisted that his white-ball team preferences and categories in central contracts be taken into account.

Aside from threatening to not accompany the team on the tour of Australia until mental performance coach David Reid’s contract is addressed, another point of contention between the PCB and the now former head coach has been the issue of the selection committee.

The committee, which previously included the head coaches but the PCB, was revamped earlier this month, by the PCB which saw the removal of the coaches and captain from the committee which now has five members namely Aqib Javed Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and. Hassan Shima.

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

Sources say that the consultations with Javed on the said issue are in the final stage and a breakthrough is expected today with the former cricketer having the final say.

PCB president Mohsin Naqvi has tasked the board to appoint a new coach with Gillespie being the first choice for the interim coach for the Australia series, the sources added.

Upcoming white ball series

Australia

November 4 – ODI, MCG, Melbourne

November 8 – ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

November 10 – ODI, Perth Stadium, Perth

November 14 – T20I, The Gabba, Brisbane

November 16 – T20I, SCG, Sydney

November 18 – T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Zimbabwe

November 24 – ODI, Bulawayo

November 26 – ODI, Bulawayo

November 28 – ODI, Bulawayo

1 December – T20I, Bulawayo

December 3 – T20I, Bulawayo

5 December – T20I, Bulawayo

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