Gary Kirsten has virtual contact with players from the Pakistani cricket team.© X (formerly Twitter)
Former South African player and decorated coach Gary Kirsten has recently been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan white-ball team. The coach interacted with the senior national team players but it was a virtual meeting as Kirsten is currently in India on duty in the Indian Premier League. He is the batting coach of Gujarat Titans during the big event. The idea of Kirsten virtually guiding the Pakistani players was not well received by many fans of the team. Many of them lashed out at the management and the new coach.
Here is the video of the interaction –
Pakistan whiteball head coach Gary Kirsten connects with players during a virtual meeting. Let the journey begin #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/rjpbxPkyhZ
— Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 4, 2024
“How do players learn from a coach through a laptop screen?” wrote one fan. “Like Mickey Author, he will also do online coaching. PCB, is this cricket or is it a joke?” wrote another fan.
“He will not be available for the Ireland series. The online coaching saga continues,” read another comment on the video.
While Kirsten is currently unavailable for the Pakistan team as he is in India for IPL 2024, former Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood will lead the side on its tour of Ireland and England this month until the South African coach takes charge. side, PTI said in a report.
A PCB official said that if Gujarat Titans fail to qualify for the IPL play-offs, Kirsten would be available from the start of the T20 series against England, the report said.
Until Kirsten joins, Mahmood, who has been appointed assistant coach to South African and red ball head coach Jason Gillispie, will act as head coach.
The board has also appointed former Test batsman Muhammad Yousuf as the team's batting coach and Saeed Ajmal as spin bowling coach.
(With PTI inputs)
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