Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB under scanner, Kirsten exposes ‘constant outside noise’
Former Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten cited excessive interference from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the primary reason for his abrupt departure after just six months. He described the constant external noise and punitive actions around poor performance as a significant challenge, making it difficult to implement plans or build relationships with players.
Former Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten has opened up on his brief and turbulent stint with the national side, revealing that excessive interference from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) played a major role in his early exit. Kirsten, who was appointed in April 2024 on a two-year deal, stepped down from his role as head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams within just six months. His resignation came abruptly, barely a week before Pakistan were scheduled to tour Australia for an ODI series.
In the immediate aftermath of his departure, the PCB handed over additional responsibilities to Test coach Jason Gillespie, who was asked to oversee the white-ball leg of the Australia tour. However, Gillespie too parted ways with the setup a few months later, adding to the instability within the coaching structure. Reflecting on his experience, Kirsten pointed to the constant external involvement in team affairs as the most challenging aspect of the job.
“The thing that surprised me more than anything was the level of interference. I don’t think I have ever seen it at that level before. Did it surprise me?
I don’t know, but it was significant," Kirsten said while speaking to talkSPORT Cricket. He explained that such an environment made it extremely difficult for a coach to implement plans or build a stable working relationship with players. “It is quite difficult for a coach to come and formulate a way that you can work with the players when there is just this constant noise from the outside.