The focus of all the claims of division within Babar Azam’s team is the recently hired head coach Gary Kirsten. The Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has left Pakistan with a disastrous early exit, and tensions are high as a result.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has now voiced his opinion, pleading with Kirsten to quit the Pakistan team and go back to coaching the Indian national side.
With victories over Canada and Ireland providing little comfort, Pakistan’s campaign came to an abrupt end after losing their opening two matches against the USA and their bitter rivals. The Men in Green were unable to advance to the Super Eights phase. Kirsten allegedly caused controversy in the aftermath by saying that the Pakistani team lacked cohesion and support.
Under Kirsten’s direction, Singh was a part of India’s 2011 World Cup winning team. He used social media to give the South African advice. Kirsten, he said, was a particular individual for the Indian team and one of the rarest diamonds. He urged him to return to coaching India and not spend time with Pakistan.
Also read: Stephen Fleming about the weaknesses of India in the T20 World Cup
“Avoid wasting your time there, Gary. Return to the Coach Team INDIA. One of the uncommon [Gems] is Gary Kirsten. Our 2011 World Cup winning coach was a great mentor, coach, and friend to everyone on our team. Bhajji wrote on X, “Special man Gary.”
Pakistan’s team is not cohesive: Gary Kirsten
Arrived as Pakistan’s coach barely weeks before the big event, the veteran coach guided India to their second ODI World Cup victory in 2011.
But the Men in Green didn’t play well; they only prevailed in two of their four group matches. Even the former president of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, joked that Kirsten should face legal action for undermining Pakistan’s unity and integrity as remarks over the purported disagreement went viral.
Journalist Sikander Bakht reports that during the Ireland match, Gary made these remarks, noting he had never led a team with a climate like this. Kirsten had allegedly chastised the Pakistani players for their lack of cohesion during the World Cup.
“The Pakistani team is not a cohesive entity, despite its claims to the contrary. They don’t help one another; instead, they are divided into left and right groups. I’ve worked with a lot of teams, but I’ve never encountered something like this,” Kirsten was cited as saying.
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