"Is It A Joke?": Fans Fume As Pakistan Coach Gary Kirsten, On IPL Duty, Guides Team Virtually

Former South Africa player and decorated coach Gary Kirsten has been recently appointed as the head coach of Pakistan's white-ball team. The coach interacted with the players of the senior men's national squad 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 at the marquee event. The idea of Kirsten guiding the Pakistan players virtually was not taken down well by many fans of the side. As a result, many of them lashed out at the management and the new coach.

Here is the video of the interaction -

Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten connects with players in virtual meet-up. Let the journey begin #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/rjpbxPkyhZ

"How do players learn from a coach through a laptop screen?" wrote a fan. "Like Mickey Author, he will also do online coaching. PCB, is this cricket or is it a joke?" wrote another fan.

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

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 side on its tour of Ireland and England this month until the South African coach takes over the side, said PTI in a report.

A PCB official said that if Gujarat Titans don't qualify for the IPL play-offs then Kirsten would be available from the start of the T20 series against England, the report added.

Until Kirsten joins, Mahmood, who has been named as the assistant coach to the South African and the red ball head coach Jason Gillispie will be acting as head coach.

The board has also named former Test batsman Muhammad Yousuf as the batting coach of the team and Saeed Ajmal as the spin bowling coach.

(With PTI Inputs)