LAHORE
\nWhile Jason Gillespie would like to rely on \u201ccommunication and clarity\u201d to get the best out of the Pakistan Test team, Gary Kirsten would need an environment conducive for \u201ccontinuity and consistency\u201d for the national side to thrive in the shorter formats.
\nBoth Gillespie and Kirsten \u2014 appointed on Sunday as the national side\u2019s head coaches for the Test and white-ball formats respectively \u2014 are set to enter the world of Pakistan cricket, which has been marred by more than a year of turmoil, with high standards and principles that define their respective coaching philosophies.
\nAs a reflection of countries instable and political and economic situation in the last two to three years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been a place far from any kind of consistency.
\nIt has been about just the opposite in fact, the board witnessing three leadership changes in 13 months \u2014 two interim and one elected chairman. In this tumultuous period, Pakistan had three different sets of coaches and a total of three captains.
\nWith the restoration of an elected government two months ago, the PCB now has an elected chairman in Mohsin Naqvi, who has signed up Gillespie and Kirsten for a two-year contract in an attempt to get Pakistan cricket back on track.
\nThe duo\u2019s appointments are being praised by critics given both Gillespie and Kirsten hold the reputation of being coaches who inculcate a winning mentality in their charges.
\nBut to do that successfully in Pakistan, they would require the freedom to make an influence on a culture stricken by shakiness and insecurity. Gillespie and Kirsten will be a part of the national selection committee, which may allow them that influence.
\n\u201cI\u2019m excited about being part of the selection committee,\u201d former Australian pacer Gillespie said in a podcast released by the PCB. \u201cIn my whole coaching career, I have had a role as a selector. It all comes down to clarity and communication. \u201c
\nAlthough Gillespie hasn\u2019t coached at the international level, he is an ECB accredited Level 4 coach, having completed the two-year course from the University of Gloucestershire. He has led English county side Yorkshire back-to-back Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.
\nKirsten, meanwhile, is known for his feat of winning the 2011 World Cup with India, and presently is batting coach and mentor of Gujarat Titans, who won the 2022 Indian Premier League.
\nFor the ex South African batter, the right processes in place are necessary to expect desired end results.
\n\u201cI\u2019m a fan of continuity and consistency in the process and let the processes and systems serve their time because if does, you\u2019ve got really talented players and there is really a good chance that you will have some sustainable success, which is what every team is looking for,\u201d he told the PCB podcast.
\nKirsten will join the Pakistan camp ahead of the side\u2019s four-match Twenty20 International series against England next month. He would be in charge of the team in the T20 World Cup, which is set to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.
\nThe ICC Champions Trophy next year and the 2026 T20 World Cup will also be Kirsten\u2019s major assignments with Pakistan.
\nBefore he joins the team, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood \u2014 appointed as assistant coach for both
\nformats \u2014 will carry out duties as the backroom staff\u2019s leader.
\n\u201c\u2026 the plans are already in place,\u201d said Kirsten. \u201cAzhar Mahmood as interim head coach is doing a great job.
\n\u201cWe are communicating at the moment. I\u2019m getting to understand the team and how they\u2019re playing. I\u2019m watching them play, which is great. I certainly have get my head in the space, but at an arm\u2019s length.\u201d
\nOn the other hand, Gillespie will arrive in Pakistan ahead of their Test series against Bangladesh at home. The national side also host England for Test matches in October this year.
\nIn their ICC Test Championship campaign so far, Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 away from home before receiving a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia at the turn of the year.
\n\u201cObviously, the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 for Pakistan is going to be a challenge; there\u2019s no question about that,\u201d said Gillespie. \u201cThe first opportunity that I\u2019ll be involved in will be against Bangladesh at home, and I am looking forward to it. We\u2019ll just take each series and each Test match as it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE While Jason Gillespie would like to rely on \u201ccommunication and clarity\u201d to get the best out of the Pakistan Test team, Gary Kirsten would need an environment conducive for \u201ccontinuity and consistency\u201d for the national side to thrive in the shorter formats. Both Gillespie and Kirsten \u2014 appointed on Sunday as the national side\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":403872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-403844","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n