'Ramiz Raja expresses disappointment over Garry Kirsten's sudden departure from Pakistan cricket'

New Delhi: Former PCB chief Ramiz Raja has expressed concerns about the impact of Gary Kirsten's sudden departure on Pakistan cricket. He believes that this could possibly discourage international coaches from taking up roles with the team in the future.

“It’s not good news because Pakistan needed an experienced hand like Gary Kirsten,” Raja told reporters.

“I don’t have inside information, but from a distance, it doesn’t look great to lose your coach right before the start of a tour,” he added.

A week before Pakistan’s white-ball series against Australia, Gary Kirsten stepped down as head coach of the ODI and T20I teams. In response, the PCB appointed Test coach Jason Gillespie to fill Kirsten’s role for the upcoming tour.

Media reports indicate a rift between Kirsten and the PCB following the board’s decision to remove selection powers from coaches. As a result, the selection committee, which includes Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema, began determining the playing XI.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Test coach, Jason Gillespie, clarified that his role with the team has now shifted to that of a “match-day strategist.”

“I’m not a selector; I’m a match-day strategist as head coach. My focus is on the players, and I’ll let the selectors do their job. I’m getting splinters in my arse from sitting on the fence here,” he remarked ahead of Pakistan’s third Test against England.

Kirsten’s tenure spanned just six months, and Raja warns that the PCB may encounter difficulties in attracting international coaches moving forward.

“Right now, there’s a hodgepodge in Pakistan cricket. The selection committee is nominating the playing XI. I’m not too sure if this happens anywhere else in the world,” Raja noted.

“It’s not a straightforward situation because when someone like Gary Kirsten leaves the job, backlash is inevitable. People will speculate and want to know why he left. It’s not a great advertisement for Pakistan cricket.”

“What you need is to ensure that, once you involve someone, you provide them with clarity regarding their role. I don’t know if that clarity was provided to Gary Kirsten. In the future, Pakistan may face challenges in hiring international talent due to Kirsten’s resignation. It’s not going to be an easy job to attract international coaches,” he concluded.