Gary Kirsten Tackles Pakistan Cricket's Challenges and Concerns

Gary Kirsten, the newly appointed Pakistan white-ball coach, has expressed his concerns about the challenges facing the team and the state of Test cricket.

Kirsten, who has yet to join the Pakistan camp in person, has identified potential "blockages" within the squad. He believes his role is to unlock the players' natural abilities and address the issues that have hindered their success.

Pakistan's recent performances have been disappointing, with a poor ODI World Cup followed by Test and T20I series losses to Australia and New Zealand. The team also struggled against a weakened New Zealand side and only narrowly defeated Ireland.

Kirsten acknowledged the negativity surrounding Pakistan cricket, attributing it to the knock-on effects of poor on-field results. He emphasized the importance of building relationships with the board and accepting the limitations of his powers.

Kirsten's experience with India has prepared him for the administrative challenges of working with a South Asian cricket board. He believes in focusing on winnable battles and building relationships with the board to gain their support.

One of Kirsten's key concerns is the over-reliance on captain Babar Azam. He believes Babar should not feel the pressure to carry the team and that other players need to step up and make match-winning contributions.

Kirsten's appointment alongside Jason Gillespie, who will coach the Test side, has coincided with Pakistan's 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland. Kirsten will join the team in England for their upcoming T20I series against England ahead of the T20 World Cup.

While Kirsten has set his sights on winning one of the three upcoming ICC white-ball events, he expressed concerns about the frequency of these tournaments. He believes it could lead to a lack of context in matches and potentially harm Test cricket.

Kirsten's appointment is a significant step for Pakistan cricket. His experience and insights will be crucial in addressing the team's challenges and unlocking their potential.

Tags: #PakistanCricket, #GaryKirsten, #WhiteBallCoach, #TeamBlockages, #BabarAzam