Former South African cricketer and World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has opened up about his abrupt departure as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, citing internal politics, lack of authority, and non-cricketing interference as key reasons behind his decision to step down just six months into the role.
“Tumultuous Few Months” in Pakistan Setup
In a candid interview with Wisden Cricket Podcast, Kirsten described his tenure as “tumultuous”, revealing that he was excluded from team selection and had limited influence over cricketing decisions.
“Once I was taken off selection and asked to take a team I didn’t help shape, it became very difficult to have any sort of positive influence as a coach,” he said.
Cricket vs. Politics: A Coach’s Dilemma
Kirsten emphasized that cricket teams must be run by cricket people, not by those with external agendas.
“When there’s a lot of outside noise — very influential noise — it’s very difficult for leaders within the team,” he added.
“I’m too old now to be dealing with other agendas. I just want to coach a cricket team and work with the players.”
Praise for Pakistan Players, Hope for Return
Despite the challenges, Kirsten praised the professionalism and talent of Pakistan’s players, stating he would consider returning “under the right circumstances”.
“I love the Pakistan players, they’re great guys. More than any other team in the world, they feel the pressure of performance massively,” he noted.
Coaching Shake-Up Continues
Kirsten’s exit follows that of Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s red-ball coach, who also resigned citing similar frustrations. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has since appointed Mike Hesson as the new white-ball coach, while the red-ball position remains vacant.
