Was Babar Azam the reason behind Gary Kirsten’s resignation?

The internal disagreements between former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten, who has resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have now come to light. 

Sources have revealed that there were multiple points of contention between Kirsten and the PCB, with neither party willing to compromise on their stance. At the time of his appointment, the PCB had assured Kirsten significant authority over the team’s decisions, including influence in selection matters. However, as time went on, Kirsten reportedly grew dissatisfied with the reduction in his authority, particularly after losing his voting rights in the squad selection process.

It’s understood that Kirsten had conducted extensive planning for the Champions One Day Cup, as well as upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe, working closely with players to build strategies. However, differences with the current selection committee led to notable changes in the squads he had recommended. These alterations, along with the limited input in squad selection, reportedly contributed to Kirsten’s decision to step down.

Additionally, Kirsten and his fellow coach, Jason Gillespie, were both consistently involved with players' training and fitness plans. According to sources, Kirsten and Gillespie disagreed with the idea of resting Babar Azam. Kirsten advocated for Babar’s inclusion in the Zimbabwe tour squad, emphasizing that game time there would better prepare him for the following South Africa tour.

Gary Kirsten’s tenure as Pakistan’s white-ball coach was expected to bring stability and expertise; however, this sudden resignation after only six months underscores unresolved structural issues between the PCB and the coaching staff.