Pakistan’s cricket woes deepen after their premature exit from the T20 World Cup, with reports surfacing of escalating tensions between coach Gary Kirsten and the team. Kirsten, renowned for coaching India to a World Cup victory, reportedly confronted every player following Pakistan’s last match against Ireland, criticizing their lack of team cohesion.
According to Pakistan’s Geo Super News, Kirsten expressed dismay over the team’s disunity, stating, “There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team. They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I’ve worked with many teams, but I’ve never seen such a situation.”
These remarks, which were not made publicly but reportedly circulated among Pakistani sports journalists, have stirred significant controversy within the cricketing community. Kirsten, now returning to South Africa, allegedly questioned Pakistan’s overall fitness, skill levels, and the strategic decisions of their batters. He highlighted the need for players to improve or face the possibility of being dropped from the team.
Former cricketers have voiced concerns over the frequent changes in leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the instability it brings. They argue that such instability, combined with inconsistent player and coach rotations, has contributed to Pakistan’s declining cricketing prowess.
Once a dominant force in world cricket, Pakistan’s recent performances have been inconsistent, marked by occasional flashes of brilliance but marred by organizational instability. Calls for substantial reforms within the PCB, including from legendary figures like Wasim Akram, highlight the urgency for a strategic overhaul to revive Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes.
