Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the new head coaches for the senior national team. Former India head coach Gary Kirsten, who led the MS Dhoni-led team to the World Cup in 2011, will take charge of the white-ball teams, while former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie will take charge in Test cricket. Meanwhile, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been appointed assistant coach for all formats.
Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement through a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
“Kirsten will take charge of the squad immediately after completing his assignment in the Indian Premier League. During his tenure, in addition to the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will also be in charge of the squad the Next year's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the 2025 ACC T20 Asia Cup and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka,” PCB said in a statement.
“Gillespie will take on responsibilities for the ICC World Test Championship matches against Bangladesh (at home in August), followed by Tests against England (at home in October) and South Africa (away in December) in the 2024-25 season. the statement added.
Speaking about the appointments, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said: “I congratulate Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten on their appointments as the red and white head coaches of the Pakistan men's cricket team respectively. Their great track record precedes them. and I would like to welcome them to the Pakistani cricket family.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be given the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan National Men's Team in white ball cricket and to be part of the international cricket arena again after some time. I am eagerly looking forward to this opportunity and aim to make a positive contribution to supply the Pakistan national men's team in limited-overs cricket,” Kirsten said on the PCB website.
Gillespie thanked PCB for showing confidence in him for the Test side task. He said: “I am grateful to the PCB for their confidence in my abilities and give me the honor of coaching one of the most highly regarded and talented cricket teams in the traditional format of the sport. Leading the Pakistani cricket team is a big challenge. achievement for any coach given his rich legacy and passionate fan base.”
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