The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of Jason Gillespie as the head coach for Pakistan’s men’s white-ball teams ahead of their upcoming tour of Australia. Gillespie takes over following the resignation of Gary Kirsten, whose departure was officially accepted earlier today. Previously Pakistan’s red-ball coach, Gillespie will now lead both the One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) teams against Australia. The tour, set to begin on November 4, will feature a series of high-stakes matches as both teams gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
Alongside this coaching shift, Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the permanent captain for Pakistan’s white-ball teams. On Sunday, they announced his promotion to full-time captain along with the team rosters for both the Australian and Zimbabwe tours.
PCB Faces Selection Struggles Amid Coaching Changes Before ICC Champions Trophy
This leadership change follows ongoing tensions around the PCB’s selection committee. Which has reportedly limited the influence of both coaches and captains. After Pakistan’s recent Test loss to England, the PCB appointed its third selection panel in three months. Led by Aaqib Javed and including Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema. The new selection team introduced strategies such as preparing a recycled pitch in Multan. Which contributed to a win for Pakistan. Rizwan jokingly referred to this strategic shift as “Aaqib-ball.”
Kirsten’s tenure, which began in May after his coaching role with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, encountered various setbacks, including a series loss to England and an early exit from the T20 World Cup after losses to the United States and India.
With just under four months until Pakistan hosts the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in over two decades. The PCB now faces the critical task of securing a new full-time head coach for the white-ball teams in preparation for this prestigious tournament.
