Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten will monitor the domestic players in the upcoming Champions One Day Cup, scheduled to be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29.
Following Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kirsten returned to his hometown in South Africa but has remained actively involved in the team’s preparation.
In July, the 56-year-old made a brief visit to Lahore, where he met with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to discuss his observations and provide feedback on the team’s performance.
The Champions One Day Cup, a key tournament on Pakistan’s cricket calendar, will serve as an important platform for Kirsten and his team to assess and refine their strategies ahead of a crucial series against Australia in November.
It should be noted that the Pakistan national team will play three ODIs and three T20Is in November away from home soil.
Gary Kirsten will not be alone in this endeavor; a team of esteemed mentors, including Sarfaraz Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, and Waqar Younis, has been appointed on three-year contracts to guide and support the participating teams.
These appointments followed a rigorous and transparent selection process, aimed at bolstering the domestic cricket structure and nurturing emerging talent.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Faisalabad, where the nation’s cricketing future will be put to the test under the guidance of some of its most experienced and respected figures.