An explosive outburst by coach Gary Kirsten has caused a stir in the Pakistan cricket team following their exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Social media was flooded with quotes attributed to Kirsten, painting a negative picture of the team’s unity.
In a debriefing session after Pakistan’s defeat to Ireland, Kirsten reportedly expressed his frustration with the lack of unity within the team. “There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team. They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I’ve worked with many teams, but I’ve never seen such a situation,” Kirsten was rumored to have said.
However, investigations have revealed that Kirsten’s comments were made in the dressing room and were taken out of context on social media. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) clarified that Kirsten’s remarks were part of a private debriefing session and not a public criticism of the team’s performance.
It is believed that some players leaked Kirsten’s comments to the media, leading to widespread speculation about the team’s dynamics. The PCB has refuted these claims, stating that Kirsten did not make any public criticisms and that his words were misconstrued.
Pakistan’s early exit from the World Cup, following defeats to USA and India, sparked criticism from former cricketers and pundits. The team’s lack of unity was questioned by legends like Wasim Akram, adding to the pressure on the players.
Kirsten, a former India coach, has remained silent on the issue and reiterated that he does not make public comments outside of press conferences. The controversy has put a spotlight on the Pakistan cricket team’s internal dynamics and their performance in the T20 World Cup.