“Is this a joke?”: Fans angry as Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten guides team virtually on IPL duty

Former South African player and coach Gary Kirsten has recently been appointed the head coach of Pakistan’s white ball team. The coach interacted with the senior men’s national team players but it was a virtual meeting as Kirsten is currently in India on Indian Premier League duty. He is the batting coach of Gujarat Titans in the marquee event. The idea of ​​Kirsten virtually guiding the Pakistani players was not accepted by many of the team’s fans. As a result, many of them criticized the management and the new coach.

Watch the video of the conversation here –

Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten joined the players in a virtual meet-up. let’s begin the journey #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/rjpbxPkyhZ

– Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) 4 May 2024

“How do players learn from coaches through laptop screens?”. one fan wrote. “Like Mickey Writer, he will also do online coaching. PCB, is this cricket or is it a joke?”. another fan wrote.

Another comment on the video read, “He will not be available for the Ireland series. The online coach saga continues.”

While Kirsten is currently unavailable for the Pakistan team as he is in India for IPL 2024, the country’s former Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is set to lead the team on the tour of Ireland and England this month while the South African coach takes charge. Can’t handle it. side, PTI said in a report.

The report said that a PCB official said that if Gujarat Titans fail to qualify for the IPL playoffs, Kirsten will be available from the start of the T20 series against England.

Until Kirsten joins, Mahmood, who has been named as the South African assistant coach, and red-ball head coach Jason Gillispie will act as head coaches.

The board has appointed former Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf as the team’s batting coach and Saeed Ajmal as the spin bowling coach.

(With PTI inputs)