Additionally, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood was appointed as the assistant coach across all formats.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi expressed confidence in the appointments during a media conference, highlighting the value attributed to the Pakistan cricket team and the potential seen by foreign coaches in the players.
“The appointment of (Gary) Kirsten and (Jason) Gillespie who are high-profile coaches shows how much value is given to the Pakistan cricket team and how much potential foreign coaches see in our players,” stated Naqvi, underlining the PCB’s commitment to providing the team with the best resources and facilities.
Kirsten is slated to assume his role ahead of Pakistan’s tour of England from May 22, encompassing four T20Is, leading up to the T20 World Cup in June.
The appointment comes in the wake of Pakistan’s quest for a full-time head coach following their underwhelming performance in the 50-over World Cup last year, which led to the overhaul of the coaching staff.
After the disappointing outing in the ICC event, Pakistan underwent significant changes, including the removal of Babar Azam from the captaincy, with pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood taking over leadership duties in white-ball cricket and Tests respectively. Muhammad Hafeez briefly assumed a guiding role during Pakistan’s tour to Australia, which ended with losses in both Test and T20I series.
Despite approaching several high-profile names like Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson, Pakistan faced challenges in securing a full-time head coach until zeroing in on Kirsten and Gillespie.
Naqvi emphasized the rationale behind opting for foreign coaches, citing the need to strike a balance and leverage external expertise to address fitness concerns and optimize performance.
The appointments of Kirsten and Gillespie mark a significant stride in Pakistan cricket’s quest for excellence, signaling a new era under the guidance of seasoned mentors with proven track records in international cricket.
(With inputs from PTI)