Tue Oct 29 14:27:19 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan’s Unceremonious Coach Departure Could Backfire, Warns Ex-PCB Chief

**KARACHI, PAKISTAN** – Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ramiz Raja, has expressed concern over the abrupt departure of head coach Gary Kirsten, warning that it could have a lasting impact on Pakistan cricket.

Kirsten resigned a week before Pakistan’s white-ball series against Australia, with Test coach Jason Gillespie taking over the coaching role. Reports suggest a rift between Kirsten and the PCB emerged after the board stripped coaches of selection powers.

“It’s not good news,” Raja told reporters. “Pakistan needed an experienced hand like Gary Kirsten. From a distance, it doesn’t look great to lose your coach right before a tour.”

Raja believes the lack of clarity regarding Kirsten’s role and the recent shift in selection power to a committee may deter future international coaches from considering positions with the Pakistan team.

“Right now, there’s a hodgepodge in Pakistan cricket,” Raja noted. “The selection committee is nominating the playing XI. I’m not too sure if this happens anywhere else in the world.”

“When someone like Gary Kirsten leaves the job, backlash is inevitable. People will speculate and want to know why he left. It’s not a great advertisement for Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Raja concluded, “What you need is to ensure that once you involve someone, you provide them with clarity regarding their role. I don’t know if that clarity was provided to Gary Kirsten. In the future, Pakistan may face challenges in hiring international talent due to Kirsten’s resignation. It’s not going to be an easy job to attract international coaches.”

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