By: Aditya Ahuja
Gary Kirsten, the head coach of the Indian team that won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2011, will assume the role of white-ball head coach of Pakistan heading into the upcoming T20 World Cup, the PCB announced in their press conference on Sunday.
Joining him is former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who has been appointed as their head coach for red-ball cricket.
Azhar Mahmood, who recently served as the head coach during the T20I series against New Zealand, will remain part of the management as an all-format assistant coach.
The PCB has confirmed that all three appointments are for a two-year period.
The 56-year-old South African, currently serving as the batting coach and mentor for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is slated to join the Pakistan team after the conclusion of the tournament.
Kirsten’s first major test awaits at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. Following this, he is expected to lead the team into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the T20 Asia Cup 2025, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Gillespie’s tenure will begin with Pakistan’s home Test against Bangladesh in August, which forms part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Subsequently, he will oversee Test series at home against England and away against South Africa.