Gary Kirsten's brief tenure as Pakistan's white-ball coach has been a subject of much discussion, particularly after his recent candid remarks about the inner workings of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In a recent interview, Kirsten unmasked what he described as a "tumultuous" environment, shedding light on the political undercurrents and power struggles that ultimately led to his premature departure.

Kirsten, who took on the role in April 2024 alongside Jason Gillespie as the Test coach, stepped down just six months into the job. He cited a lack of authority and being sidelined from critical decision-making processes, particularly team selection, as key factors. "It was a tumultuous few months. I realised quite quickly I wasn't going to have much of an influence," Kirsten stated. He elaborated that once he was excluded from the selection process and essentially asked to coach a team he had no hand in shaping, it became exceedingly difficult to have any positive impact.

His departure followed the PCB's announcement of squads for ODI and T20I tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, a decision made without consulting either Kirsten or Gillespie. Gillespie, too, resigned ahead of the South Africa Test series in December, reportedly disillusioned after the board parted ways with high-performance coach Tim Nielsen. Gillespie later admitted the experience left a “sour taste” in his coaching career.

This lack of autonomy appears to be at the heart of Kirsten's concerns. He emphasized that "cricket teams need to be run by cricket people," hinting at external interference and agendas that made it difficult for leaders within the team to chart a course he believed was necessary for success. He expressed his frustration with "a lot of noise from the outside that's very influential," which further complicated matters.

Despite the frustrating experience, Kirsten hasn't ruled out returning to coach Pakistan in the future – under the right conditions. "If I got invited back to Pakistan tomorrow, I would go, but I would want to go for the players, and I would want to go under the right circumstances," he said, emphasizing his desire to work with the players without having to navigate other agendas. "I'm too old now to be dealing with other agendas. I just want to coach a cricket team and work with the players – I love the Pakistan players, they're great guys."

Kirsten's comments have stirred considerable debate within Pakistani cricket circles. Some observers believe his insights validate long-standing concerns about the PCB's internal dynamics and its impact on team performance. Others have questioned the timing and appropriateness of his remarks, suggesting that they could be detrimental to the team's morale and stability.

Following Kirsten's resignation, former pacer Aaqib Javed served as the interim head coach. He has now been replaced by New Zealand's Mike Hesson, who has taken charge of Pakistan's white-ball teams. As of now, the red-ball coaching position remains vacant.

Kirsten's experience underscores the complexities of coaching in international cricket, where political and administrative factors can significantly influence a coach's ability to perform effectively. His emphasis on the need for cricket expertise to guide decision-making resonates with many who believe that the game should be governed by those who understand it best. While his tenure may have been short-lived, Kirsten's candid assessment has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the Pakistani cricket landscape.