by WIN or lose, Pakistan cricket seems to be in a constant state of flux. Just when things seemed to be settling down, plans becoming reality and the wheels of revival starting to turn after an impressive Test series win against England, further chaos erupted when Gary Kirsten resigned as the team’s limited-overs coach. Perhaps the all-encompassing influence of recently appointed selection committee member Aqib Javed, who is widely credited with Pakistan’s extraordinary turnaround, proved too much for the coach. The draft national team is now called “Aqib Ball” and the newly constituted selection committee has been given significant powers, with the coach and captain removed from it. Test team coach Jason Gillespie, who recently said he had been reduced to a “matchday strategist” following the committee’s overhaul, will take charge of the limited-overs team when it tours Australia next month for three days of internationals and as many Twenty20s.
Pakistan go to Australia with a new captain, Mohammad Rizwan, replacing Babar Azam. An indication that Gary Kirsten was not on board came at a press conference a day before his resignation, when Rizwan sat alongside his newly appointed deputy Salman Ali Agha, Aqib Javed and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi and his captaincy announced. Aqib Javed and Rizwan appeared to be united in their goals and said they need to put together a strong unit as Pakistan prepares to host the Champions Trophy next year. But that was also the PCB’s aim when it – amid much fanfare – appointed Gary Kirsten, who is departing after leading Pakistan in just one tournament: this year’s T20 World Cup, from which the team made an ignominious exit. There have been lots of cuts and changes, a revolving door situation on the managerial front and now a new philosophy is emerging for the limited overs side. It is to be hoped that the PCB sticks to the plan.
Published in Dawn, October 30, 2024
