Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten has reportedly slammed Babar Azam’s team following their disappointing group exit in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. According to PTI, Kirsten described the Pakistan team as “lacking cohesion” and said he had “never seen anything like it” in his long career as a manager. The former South African opener was brought in by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of the T20 tournament and this will be Kirsten’s first time working with Babar Azam and his team.
Coming into the tournament as runners-up in the previous edition, the Pakistani team failed to impress, posting their worst performance in recent years. The 2009 champions ended a dismal campaign in America with a consolation win over Ireland, but then suffered a shock defeat to newcomers USA and a closely fought defeat to arch rivals India. According to Pakistani media reports, Kirsten, who led India to ODI World Cup victory in 2011, gave a scathing assessment of her team after their defeat in the ongoing T20 final.
“There is no unity in the Pakistan team. They call it a team but they are not a team. They do not support each other. Everyone is divided left and right. I have worked in many teams and I have never seen anything like this,” Kirsten said in the report, quoting a senior journalist.
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“We are pleased to announce that the South African team is well ahead of the rest of the world in terms of skill level,” said Geosuper.tv, citing sources, who said Kirsten had expressed dissatisfaction with the players’ fitness levels.
After Pakistan’s defeat to India, Kirsten blamed his team’s defeat on poor decision making. “It was a disappointing defeat for sure,” Kirsten said. “We knew getting 120 wasn’t an easy target. We knew if India could only get 120 it would never be an easy target. But I think we were on course at 72 for two with six or seven overs to go. It’s disappointing we couldn’t score from the situation we were in.”
On Sunday, Pakistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in a tense final match of the T20 World Cup at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. Pakistan was eliminated from the tournament before the end of the group stage due to losses to the United States and India. The win over Ireland puts Pakistan in third place in Group A with two wins from four matches.
Harbhajan and Vaughn’s response
Former India off-spinner and World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh and former England captain Michael Vaughan have responded to Gary Kirsten’s fury. Harbhajan asked Kirsten to resign. Speaking in his capacity as head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, Vaughan wrote, “I think what Gary Kirsten says is strong but very true,” adding, “Gary, don’t waste your time there. Come back as coach of the Indian team. Gary Kirsten is one of those rare gems. A fantastic coach, mentor and friend to everyone on the 1202 team. 2011 World Cup winning coach. A special man, Gary @Gary_Kisten,” Harbhajan Singh said in a post on X.
