NEW DELHI: The upcoming T20I series against England will be the first assignment that Gary Kirsten will have as the head coach of Pakistan men’s white-ball cricket team. When he arrived in Leeds, there was a warm reception by captain Babar Azam and the support staff; this moment is now viral on social media.
Moments after reaching Leeds, Kirsten posed for a photograph with his captain and other members of his backroom staff, which was then shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) through its official social media handle. The video clip taken during their welcoming gathering has already generated some buzz about what to expect from him in a two-year period.
Before being appointed as a full-time mentor and batting coach of Gujarati Titans in Indian Premier League games, Kirsten had expressed his intention to work again at national coaching level.
“I have missed coaching at the international level and grooming young talented players,” said Kirsten. “My focus is on working hand-in-hand with the (Pakistan) team so that we can improve their game and bring happiness to supporters all over the world.”
His first task is the four-match T20I series against England which are crucial build-up matches to T20 World Cup slated for next month in West Indies & USA. Pakistan’s final squad of 15 Men for T20 World Cup will be announced after First T20 vs ENG next Tuesday in Lead.
The PCB made strategic appointments to reinforce their coaching team besides hiring Kirsten. Simon Helmot has been named fielding coach while David Reid takes up mental performance coach position.Reid is expected to join team next Monday while Helmot will link up with them on 31 May after Englands’ T20 series.
Kirsten, aged 56 from South Africa, has extensive experience from previously coaching India and South Africa respectively. This comes barely one month since he was confirmed as white-ball coach alongside red ball coach Jason Gillespie.
Under Kirsten, Pakistan are looking forward to building on their recent achievements in T20 World Cups where they were semi-finalists last year and runners-up against England in 2022.
