(X/AFP Photo)

Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, sources report that Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, granted head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie complete autonomy to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes. This decision comes after Pakistan’s defeats to newcomers USA and traditional rivals India in the World Cup’s group stage, leading to their exit from the tournament held across the USA and the Caribbean.

Naqvi convened with both the white-ball and red-ball coaches, during which Kirsten and Gillespie outlined their strategies for the national team. The PCB stated that Naqvi expressed unwavering confidence in the coaches and assured them of full support from the cricket board.

“Kirsten was blunt in laying down his concerns about the white-ball team based on the World Cup,” said a PCB source.

After the team’s defeats to USA and India, Kirsten cautioned senior players to either embrace new skill sets and enhance their game awareness or risk being marginalized. Wahab Riaz, the senior team manager, highlighted in his report to Naqvi that personality conflicts were evident within the squad during the World Cup.

“The PCB chief said both the coaches had a free hand to take whatever decisions they wanted to improve the performances of the team in red-ball and white-ball formats.”

Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood attended the meeting as well.

According to the source, Kirsten discussed his observations from the World Cup with Naqvi, emphasizing the necessity to overhaul team dynamics in white-ball cricket and instill a shift in player mentality.

Kirsten and Gillespie had accepted roles as white-ball and red-ball coaches, respectively, several months prior to the World Cup after Naqvi approached them with long-term contracts, assuring them of ample opportunities to execute their strategies.

Kirsten, renowned for his previous work with the Indian team, brings considerable prestige to his role in Pakistan.