NEW DELHI: In a scathing attack on the struggling Pakistan cricket team, head coach Gary Kirsten said there was a “lack of unity” within the squad and that he had “never seen anything like it” in his long coaching career.
Kirsten’s criticism came in the wake of the Pakistan team’s group stage exit at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.
The Pakistani team, who entered the tournament as runners-up in the previous edition, had their worst performance in recent years, finishing with a consolation win over Ireland before suffering a shock defeat to newcomers USA and then to traditional rivals India.
According to Pakistani media reports, Kirsten, who led India to ODI World Cup victory in 2011, gave a candid assessment of the team following their loss 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.
Geo Super TV 4 Sources said Kirsten expressed dissatisfaction with the players’ fitness levels and the former South African opener said the team’s skill level was far behind the rest of the world.
After Pakistan’s loss to India, Kirsten attributed the team’s defeat to poor judgement.
“It was a disappointing loss for sure,” Kirsten said.
“We knew getting 120 was not going to be an easy target. If India could only get 120 it was obviously not going to be an easy target. But I think the match ended at 72 for two with six or seven overs to go. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t score from the situation we were in.”
Pakistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in the final match of the T20 World Cup at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday.
Pakistan lost to the United States and then to India, resulting in their elimination from the tournament before the end of the group stage matches.
With the win against Ireland, Pakistan finished third in Group A with two wins from four matches.
Published June 17, 2024 14:33 IST
