LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave a “free hand” to the coaches of the men’s team during a meeting with white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, sources said.
Sources say that the meeting, which deliberated on matters related to the squad’s training, agreed that the players’ inclusion in the squad would depend on their fitness.
The encounter comes against the backdrop of heavy criticism over their dismal performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the men in green failed to even progress to the Super Eight stage.
During the tournament, the Green Shirts underperformed on all three fronts and suffered an embarrassing loss against the minnows United States and a disappointing defeat to India that resulted in their early exit from the tournament.
The meeting comes days after Kirsten delivered her “confidential” assessment report on the national party’s disastrous performance at the recently concluded mega event.
During today’s meeting, Naqvi and the team coaches decided to put together a comprehensive plan to improve the batting, bowling and fielding departments.
While agreeing that there is no dearth of talent in the country, the huddle acknowledged that they lack a good team combination at the moment.
The foreign coaches also apprised the PCB chairman of their plan to improve the team’s performance, with which the board chief agrees with their suggestions.
“We have full confidence in you [and] we will fully support you in matters relating to the coaching of the players,” the chairman said.
Notably, Gillespie and Kirsten have been appointed as Pakistan’s red-ball and white-ball coaches on a two-year contract.
Kirsten, who led India to World Cup glory in 2011, has already started his journey with the Pakistan cricket team as coach during the five-T20I series against England and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Gillespie, on the other hand, will lead Pakistan for the first time during the red-ball series against Bangladesh, which will be played in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle at the end of August.
During his first presser as a red ball coach, Gillespie expressed his excitement about working with the team.
“I am excited to work with the Pakistan cricket team,” said Gillespie.
“During the last tour to Australia, Pakistan lost the series 3-0 but he played well. There were moments in the series when he also dominated the opposition.
“We will see how we can ensure continuity and consistency in performances,” said the former Australian player.
