Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed captain for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team. The very next day, head coach Gary Kirsten resigned, just a week before the Greenshirts’ series in Australia. This upheaval highlights the fluid nature of Pakistan cricket.
The triumph in the home Test series against England, led by Shan Masood, was quickly overshadowed by Kirsten’s sudden departure, signaling trouble for a team struggling across all formats in recent years.
In white-ball cricket specifically, Pakistan has been in a state of flux due to frequent changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), team selection, management, and captaincy. Former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Saqlain Mushtaq are being considered as replacements for Kirsten. Saqlain Mushtaq, currently the Panthers’ mentor, mentioned he would think over the offer and consult with close friends and family before deciding.
Pakistan is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Although they are the defending champions, having won the title in 2017, their chances look uncertain due to internal issues, including Kirsten’s exit.
Kirsten, a seasoned coach with successful stints with India and South Africa, resigned from the PCB without public explanation. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Kirsten resigned voluntarily, but the true reasons remain unclear. Reports suggest Kirsten was not consulted on team selection for the tours to Australia and Zimbabwe, and the exclusion of the coach and captain from the selection committee might have contributed to his resignation.
Team management issues and captaincy decisions have also been mishandled. Babar Azam resigned as captain after the 2023 World Cup, leading to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brief appointment as T20 captain, followed by Babar’s reinstatement and subsequent resignation. Rizwan’s current role as white-ball captain follows this period of instability, which could further weaken Pakistan cricket if not addressed promptly.
Pakistan will play their first ODI in Melbourne on Nov 4, after almost a year. How the team, under Rizwan, will perform in Australia remains uncertain given the challenging conditions and the strength of their opponents.
After a four-month delay, the PCB finally awarded the 2024-25 central contracts, not without surprises. Fakhar Zaman, despite being a match-winner in white-ball formats, was denied a contract and excluded from the Australia and Zimbabwe tours due to a combination of fitness issues and a social media controversy. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan received a category ‘C’ contract despite his recent poor form.
Pakistan currently holds the Champions Trophy and has a golden opportunity to defend it as hosts. However, achieving this goal will require strategic planning and flawless execution.
Former captain Rashid Latif warned that current PCB decisions will have long-term consequences. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the country’s interests and hopes that top decision-makers and stakeholders will act judiciously before time runs out.
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