Gary Kirsten Opens Up on PCB's Work Culture, Cites Constant Interference as Reason for Exit

Former India World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has sharply criticised the work culture within the Pakistan Cricket Board, raising concerns over excessive interference and lack of autonomy during his tenure. His remarks come months after his abrupt resignation from the role, and have once again brought attention to the functioning of the board under its current leadership.

Kirsten, who was appointed as Pakistan’s head coach in April 2024 on a two-year contract, stepped down in October the same year citing differences over team selection and operational control. Speaking recently, he described his experience as one of the most challenging in his coaching career, pointing to constant external involvement that made it difficult to establish a stable working environment with players.

Referring to the administration led by Mohsin Naqvi, Kirsten said the level of interference he encountered was unprecedented. He explained that frequent outside input and pressure created “noise” that disrupted team processes, making it nearly impossible for a coach to implement long-term strategies or build cohesion within the squad.

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Kirsten also criticised what he described as a tendency to impose punitive measures during poor performance phases, often targeting the coaching staff. He argued that coaches are frequently made scapegoats due to being the “lowest-hanging fruit,” adding that such an approach is counterproductive. Questioning the system, he remarked that if coaches are not given the freedom to operate, then “why recruit the coach” in the first place.

Following his departure from Pakistan, Kirsten has taken up a new role with the Sri Lanka Cricket, where he has been appointed head coach on a two-year contract beginning April 2026. In this position, he is expected to oversee preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Kirsten, a former South Africa opener, enjoyed a prolific playing career between 1993 and 2004, scoring over 14,000 international runs across formats. He later built a successful coaching résumé, including guiding India to a World Cup title, before taking up various international and franchise roles. His latest comments have reignited debate around governance and professional structures within international cricket boards, particularly in high-pressure environments.

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