LAHORE: Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten arrived in Lahore on Monday to discuss changes in the Pakistan team, including the captaincy, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
After a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, he was summoned by the PCB chief for a consultation on the future of the Pakistan team.
Naqvi’s discussion with the head coach about retaining Babar Azam’s captaincy is extremely important.
Kirsten, who has raised a number of questions, has already submitted a report regarding Pakistan’s dismal performance in the World Cup. Sources told Geo News on July 3 that he submitted a “confidential” evaluation report to the PCB.
Sources said the PCB chief will review the document highlighting the players’ fitness, discipline and awareness of the game, among others, which led to the team’s early exit from the big event.
The development comes as the Green Shirts failed to even make it to the Super Eight stage of the World Cup after suffering an upset loss against minnows United States, followed by a defeat against arch-rivals India.
The Babar Azam-led side could only win matches against Canada and Ireland, which were not enough to take the team to the next stage of the tournament.
The national side’s underperformance has resulted in sharp criticism from fans and former cricketers alike, prompting the PCB chief to announce a “major operation” in the team.
However, the board decided to wait for the report from Kirsten and senior manager Wahab Riaz to make any decision regarding the team’s future.
After studying the report, the PCB chief will also consult other board officials and former cricketers before taking a decision on the next course of action.
Earlier, citing sources, they said Kirsten had raised concerns about the players’ fitness levels, saying they were not up to par.
In a discussion with the team following their elimination from the World Cup, the coach pointed out that the team’s skill level was far behind the rest of the world.
“Despite playing so much cricket, nobody knows what shot to play and when,” he said, adding that the team moving forward will only include players who value unity, focus on fitness and improve their skills.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket czar has also started holding meetings with former captains of both the national and international players to discuss possible changes in the team.
On the other hand, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood was also called up from England.
Kirsten and Mahmood have both reached Lahore, while Pakistan’s Test coach Jason Gillespie, who is currently in Karachi, will also meet Naqvi soon.
