The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed Jason Gillespie as the red-ball head coach and Gary Kirsten as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. Azhar Mahmood has also been confirmed as an assistant coach across all formats. These appointments are for a two-year term following a comprehensive recruitment process.
Gary Kirsten will assume his role after his current commitment in the Indian Premier League. During his tenure, he will lead the team in several high-profile tournaments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Jason Gillespie will take over his duties for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures, starting with home tests against Bangladesh in August, followed by matches against England at home in October and South Africa away in December 2024.
Statements from PCB Chairman and New Coaches
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi: “I extend my congratulations to Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten on their appointments. Their stellar track records precede them, and I warmly welcome them to the Pakistan cricket family. Jason’s success in coaching at both domestic and international levels and Gary’s ability to instill a winning mentality and develop young talent make them excellent choices. These appointments present a remarkable opportunity for our players to learn from seasoned professionals, refining their skills and enhancing their cricketing acumen.”
Jason Gillespie: “I am grateful to the PCB for their faith in my abilities. Leading the Pakistan cricket team is a big achievement given its rich legacy and passionate fan base. I love Test cricket and I believe we have the talent to win matches and excite the public. Our medium- to long-term goal is to aspire to reach and win the ICC World Test Championship final. I look forward to working with our talented players and utilizing our high-quality fast bowlers and other skilled players to achieve success.”
Gary Kirsten: “It’s a tremendous honor to be entrusted with coaching the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket. My goal is to unite the team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective. I aim to contribute positively to the team’s performance in upcoming ICC events and other competitions. Consistency and continuity are values I hold dear, and I am committed to supporting players through their ups and downs, prioritizing stability in selections whenever possible.”
Upcoming Fixtures and Responsibilities
- Gary Kirsten: Will take charge for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
- Jason Gillespie: Will assume responsibilities for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh (home, August), England (home, October), and South Africa (away, December 2024).
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