Pakistan hire famous India coach for T20 World Cup. What was his secret rule for players?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the appointments of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as head coaches for the white-ball and red-ball cricket teams, respectively, each for a two-year term. This decision was made public on Sunday. Azhar Mahmood, who temporarily filled the role of head coach for the recent T20 series against New Zealand, has been named as the assistant coach across all formats – tests, ODIs, and T20s. It is to be noted that Gary Kirsten was the coach of the 2011 World Cup winning India squad.

Gary Kirsten will commence his duties with the Pakistan team after completing his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he currently serves as the batting coach and mentor for the Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions. Pakistan's upcoming schedule includes seven Twenty20 matches next month: three against Ireland and four against England, leading up to the T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean in June. Kirsten aims to join the Pakistan squad during their England tour.

Following the 50-over World Cup in India last year, which was overseen by Mickey Arthur, Pakistan has been seeking a long-term coach. Mohammad Hafeez briefly took charge before Azhar Mahmood stepped in for the T20 series against New Zealand.


Kirsten expressed his ambition to unify Pakistan's white-ball team and utilize their considerable talents towards achieving success together. With extensive experience as a player for South Africa and coaching stints with India and South Africa, Kirsten brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. He highlighted his eagerness to work with Pakistan's cricketers and help them reach their full potential.

Similarly, Jason Gillespie, renowned for his contributions to Australian cricket as a player and coach, will lead Pakistan's red-ball team. Gillespie emphasized his love for test cricket and his desire to assist in the development of players, aiming for victories in test matches. His coaching achievements with Yorkshire and Zimbabwe underscore his capability in this role.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed confidence in the appointments of Kirsten and Gillespie, recognizing their expertise and affirming their belief in the team's potential.

What rule Gary Kirsten had set for Indian team?

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh in an interview about Gary Kirsten's coaching methods during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, recalled a rule enforced by Kirsten, prohibiting players from reading newspapers. Harbhajan highlighted the impact of social media on players' mental well-being, advising them to avoid it during times of intense scrutiny, as it could affect their performance negatively. Harbhajan highlighted that poor performances by cricketers often lead to extensive criticism on media, which can have a significant impact on their mental well-being.