Gary Kirsten Critiques PCB's Interference in Pakistan Cricket

Former Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten has voiced serious concerns regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board's interference in team matters. After a disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 and a series loss to Bangladesh, Kirsten's allegations shed light on the challenges coaches face in Pakistan cricket. He emphasizes that the constant external pressure and punitive measures hinder effective coaching. Kirsten's brief tenure as head coach raises questions about the PCB's role in the team's struggles and the culture surrounding accountability in Pakistani cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 21, 2026, 12:43 IST

Pakistan's Recent Struggles in Cricket

Pakistan's cricket team has faced significant challenges in recent years. Their performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 was disappointing, as they failed to advance to the semi-finals, losing all matches against higher-ranked teams. Following this, they experienced a humiliating series defeat against Bangladesh. Notably, Pakistan has only progressed past the preliminary stages of ICC events once in the last four attempts. Many former players have pointed fingers at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi, for contributing to the decline of cricket in the nation. Recently, former head coach Gary Kirsten has made serious allegations regarding the PCB's involvement in team affairs.

In a conversation with TalkSPORT, Kirsten expressed his astonishment at the extent of interference from the PCB in the team's internal matters, a situation he had not encountered in his previous coaching roles. He stated, “The level of interference was unprecedented for me. It was significant and quite challenging for a coach to develop strategies when there is constant external noise.” Kirsten emphasized that the ongoing distractions and punitive measures related to poor performances made his job increasingly difficult.

Kirsten's Brief Tenure and Challenges Faced

'Coach Is Lowest-Hanging Fruit'

Gary Kirsten took on the role of head coach for Pakistan in April 2024, signing a two-year contract. However, he resigned from the position within just six months. His interim replacement, Jason Gillespie, also stepped down shortly after. Kirsten remarked that in Pakistan, the coach often becomes the scapegoat when the team struggles. He noted, “As a coach, you are the first to be blamed when things go wrong, leading to decisions like firing the coach or imposing restrictions on them, which is counterproductive.”