Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten is all set to closely observe the players during the upcoming Champions Cup, a domestic one-day competition. This tournament is crucial as all contracted players have been asked to participate, giving Kirsten the perfect opportunity to assess their performance and readiness ahead of Pakistan’s important white-ball matches this season.
Kirsten won’t be alone in this task. He will be supported by physiotherapist Cliff Deacon and strength coach Drex Simon. Together, they will not only monitor the players’ performances but also check their fitness levels. This is an important step to ensure that the team is in top shape for the upcoming challenges. They will also conduct fitness tests for the Test team and other international players to make sure everyone is ready for the season ahead.
After Pakistan’s recent series against Bangladesh, which ended in a disappointing 0-2 defeat, Test format head coach Jason Gillespie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will head back to Australia. They will return home on Wednesday after the conclusion of the series. However, before they leave, they will also keep an eye on the Champions Cup. Pakistan is set to face England in a Test series starting on October 7, which is part of the World Test Championship. Gillespie and Nielsen will return to Pakistan in time for this crucial series.
Despite the recent poor performance against Bangladesh, sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suggest that no major changes will be made to the team. Kirsten and Gillespie have been given full control over the team’s selection and other related matters. They have advised the PCB to remain patient and avoid making harsh decisions based on the recent losses. The focus is on preparing the team for the upcoming matches and building their confidence for the future.
In the recent series, Bangladesh managed to defeat Pakistan by six wickets in the second and final Test, marking a historic 2-0 win. This victory was significant as it was only the second time that Bangladesh has won a bilateral Test series on foreign soil where two or more Tests were played. Bangladesh secured the win in four days after the first day was washed out due to rain, with Shakib Al Hasan hitting the winning four.
