WIN or lose, Pakistan cricket seems to be embroiled in a constant state of flux. Just when things seemed to be settling down, with plans coming to fruition, and the wheels of revival in motion, following a stunning Test series triumph against England, more chaos has erupted with Gary Kirsten stepping down as the team’s limited-overs coach. Perhaps the overarching influence of the recently anointed selection committee member Aqib Javed, who has largely been credited with Pakistan’s remarkable turnaround, proved too much for the coach. The blueprint for the national team is now being dubbed ‘Aqib-ball’ and the recomposed selection committee was given authoritative powers, with the coach and captain removed from it. Jason Gillespie, coach of the Test team who only recently said he had been reduced to a ‘match-day strategist’ after the committee’s overhaul, will take the reins of the limited-overs team when it tours Australia next month for three One-day Internationals and as many Twenty20s.

Pakistan go to Australia with a new captain Mohammad Rizwan replacing Babar Azam. An indication that Gary Kirsten was not on board came at a news conference a day prior to his resignation when Rizwan sat alongside his newly appointed deputy Salman Ali Agha, Aqib Javed and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi announcing his captaincy. Aqib Javed and Rizwan seemed united in their aims, stating they needed to raise a strong unit as Pakistan prepares to host the Champions Trophy next year. That, however, was also the PCB’s aim when it appointed — to much fanfare — Gary Kirsten, who departs after having helmed Pakistan for just one tournament: this year’s T20 World Cup where the team made an inglorious exit. There has been chopping and changing aplenty, a revolving-door situation on the leadership front, and now a new philosophy is in the offing for the limited-overs side. It is hoped that the PCB will stick to the plan.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024