Pakistan's white-ball cricket team has welcomed Gary Kirsten as their new head coach ahead of the T20I series against England. Kirsten's arrival in Leeds was marked by a warm reception from captain Babar Azam and the support staff, a moment that has since gone viral on social media.
Kirsten, a 56-year-old South African, brings extensive coaching experience, having previously led both India and South Africa. His appointment as the white-ball coach, along with Jason Gillespie as the red-ball coach, was confirmed last month.
Under Kirsten's guidance, Pakistan aim to build on their recent successes in T20 World Cups, having reached the semifinals in 2021 and the final in 2022 against England.
Kirsten's first challenge will be the four-match T20I series against England, a critical preparation phase for the T20 World Cup next month in the Caribbean and the United States. Pakistan's final 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup will be announced following the first T20 against England next Tuesday in Leeds.
In addition to Kirsten, the PCB has made strategic appointments to strengthen the coaching staff. Simon Helmot has been appointed as the fielding coach, and David Reid will serve as the mental performance coach. Reid is set to join the team next Monday, while Helmot will team up with the squad on May 31 after the T20 series against England.
Kirsten expressed his enthusiasm for returning to international coaching. "I've missed the experience of coaching at the international level and nurturing talented players to reach their full potential," Kirsten said in a press release from the PCB. "I'm committed to working closely with the (Pakistan) team to elevate their game and bring joy to fans around the world."
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a photo on its official social media handle, capturing Kirsten with the captain and other members of the support staff. The video of the welcome has generated significant buzz, highlighting the excitement around Kirsten's two-year assignment with the team.
Tags: #GaryKirsten, #PakistanCricket, #T20ICoach, #EnglandSeries, #T20WorldCup
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