Current senior selectors Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are vying to replace Gary Lange as Pakistan’s new white ball coach after the former Proteas hitter resigned owing to disagreements with the country’s cricket management. The PCB officially acknowledged Kirsten’s resignation on Monday, and as an interim measure, it has requested Jason Gillespie, the red ball coach, to manage the squad for the white ball series in Australia beginning November 4. However, Gillespie has stated that he intends to treat it as a one-time deal.
“The problem is both Lange and Gillespie were not happy concerning their sudden downgrading in powers with the pickers given privileges to call all the shots,” according to a single insider.
He stated that Gillespie reluctantly accepted the changes during in the middle of the England series, but has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with not being engaged in the selection process.
“The situation right now implies that the PCA must find a new white ball coach with the large number of white cricket engagements of the national team looming up and leading toward the Champions Trophy being played early next year,” according to the source.
“One option is to let assisting coach Azhar Muhammad continue as the interim manager, but Aaqib or Saqlain could additionally land the job.” Saqlain had previously been the head coach of the Pakistan squad but was removed by Mickey Arthur early last year when Najam Sethi was in control. According to the source, there are some other candidates under consideration, and the board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, will shortly meet with the shortlisted applicants.
The PCB has made no public statement on why Kirsten resigned, nor has the former South African star, but board insiders believe the disagreement developed from some concerns between Kirsten and the PCB. “The idea was that he could help the PCB revolutionize the whiteball team,” one individual familiar with the situation stated.
He claimed the PCB had the impression that Kirsten was never truly devoted to his position. He didn’t show up at the Shaheens’ white ball sessions all summer. And that all led to his missing the most of the Champions Cup.” Another accusation against Kirsten is that, despite his contract stating that he would only take 30 days of vacation per year, he did not even spend 30 days in Pakistan after joining.
The PCB was also turned off by Kirsten’s fixation on having more foreign coaches on his staff, and the feud between them erupted when the board moved to deprive the coaches of selection rights. The PCB had also shelved and encouraged foreign coaches, like Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn.