Gary Kirsten has issued a stark warning to his players that if they don’t improve, they will be left with the current game after two defeats in the 2024 World T20 start.
Pakistan lost to India in New York on Sunday, failing to chase down their 120th wicket. Super Super USA’s loss in last week’s opener in Dallas means they have a chance to advance with the Super. Eight people are in their hands. It couldn’t have been a rocky start for Kirsten, who officially started as the white ball coach in Pakistan a week before the tournament.
Asked if the team put too much pressure on him after India’s loss, Kirsten agreed.
“You are very reasonable,” he said. “That’s understandable, but a lot of these guys have played T20 cricket. and their game has progressed over the years.”
Kirsten did not win the title, but Pakistan has retained a strong T20 core through the last three World Cup campaigns. Seven of the XI that played against India in New York were part of the squad that lost to Australia in the semi-final in November 2021. Six men from last night’s XI were in the side that lost to England in the final at the MCG a year later.
The onus will fall on captain Babar Azam and opening partner Mohammad Rizwan, who each top-scored in the two matches, but with the innings sharing the limelight due to strike-rate and lack of intent. Their approach has been consistent in three campaigns, and while Pakistan had experimented with the opening partnership before the event, Kirsten said there was “anxiety about how we can put our innings together and build on it”.
Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were also part of the previous campaign and while the bowling was largely until the end of the contract, Shadab’s leg slump hurt Pakistan yesterday, Kirsten admitted, but it was clear that the players needed to grow as the format advanced.
I see the environment and what’s the problem. I see these players, I’ve been playing for years. I met them, they’re great.
“I think the most important thing for all international players is that you grow and develop as a player and understand the demands of international competition. The game changes every year. So if you don’t, you will depend on it. You will not improve, you will find it everywhere. “
Commenting on the match, former captain Wasim Akram went further and demanded that he be dropped from the current squad. While Akram did not name names, he said that the nature of defeat means that someone should “call the cat now”.
“Enough of the pressure. We need a change now. Bring in a new team, six to seven players and bring them back with a loss to grow as a team. It’s time for the PCB boss to take a bold step. We keep hearing [the team] say that the man this isn’t talking to that guy or anything.” the man did not speak to himself.
