PCB appoints new bowling coaches for Red Ball and White Ball

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed new bowling coaches for Red Ball and White Ball respectively. 

A day earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the board’s decision to appoint South Africa’s Gary Kirsten as white ball head coach and Australia’s Jason Gillespie as red ball coach for the men’s national side.

Meanwhile, former cricketer Azhar Mahmood, who was appointed as the team’s head coach for the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, will assume responsibilities as assistant coach for both formats.

The new appointments have been made for two years. 

On his appointment, Gary Kirsten said his goal as the team’s white-ball coach would be to ensure the team operates optimally.

“My goal is to unite the Pakistan men’s white-ball team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective, and achieving success together on the field,” he said.

Gary Kirsten has previously coached India from 2008-2011 and helped them to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2011 title and also the number one position on the ICC Test Team Rankings.

Gary Kirsten talking via video link on Monday said: “If I’m going to pick a player because I backed him, that player is staying and not going anywhere until and unless it gets to a point where we would have to make a shift. As a coach, I’m a big believer in continuity and consistency”

 

Gillespie, former Australian fast bowler, commenting on his role with the Green Shirts said that Aussie underscored that the national side’s number of high-quality fast bowlers and their utilisation would be a key to the team’s success.

“I also love the fact that there is so much talent in Pakistan. I like to think that I can help in some way to grow and develop the players. I want to win Tests [and] that is why I am taking this role,” Jason Gillespie said.

Jason Gillespie has previously served as an England Cricket Board (ECB) accredited Level 4 coach.

Gillespie is credited with the development of England stars Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance and Joe Root during his time with Yorkshire — the club which won back-to-back County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015 under his coaching.