Gary Kirsten to coach Pakistan white-ball team, Jason Gillespie takes charge of red-ball side

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have named separate coaches for their red and white-ball men's teams. Former South African opener Gary Kirsten has been appointed as their coach for the two limited-over formats while ex-Australia paceman Jason Gillespie will take up the reins of their red-ball team.

Kirsten, currently the Gujarat Titans batting coach, has extensive international experience in the coaching arena. He notably coached Team India to the 2011 World Cup victory on home soil. He has also served as the head coach for the South African men's side. Gillespie, meanwhile, has yet to coach at the highest level but has plenty of experience in franchise cricket.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been named the all-round assistant coach. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the appointments, saying, as quoted by the cricket board's official website:

"I extend my congratulations to Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten on their appointments as the red and white-ball head coaches of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, respectively. Their stellar track records precede them, and I warmly welcome them to the Pakistan cricket family."

Kirsten is expected to take up the job from the upcoming T20I series against England in May. Gillespie's stint, meanwhile, will only start after the T20 World Cup.

"Tremendous honour" - Gary Kirsten on coaching Pakistan men's team

Gary Kirsten. (Image Credits: Getty)

Kirsten expressed excitement at returning to the international arena and wished to trigger an upswing in the Pakistan men's team results. He elaborated (via PCB's official website):

"It’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket and to rejoin the international cricket arena after some time. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and aim to contribute positively to the Pakistan men's national team in limited-overs cricket. One of the beautiful aspects of cricket is its universality. Across cultures, there’s a shared understanding when we discuss the game."

Gillespie claimed that taking the national team to the World Test Championship final was one of his main goals and he wished to see an exciting brand of cricket. The South Australian stated:

"The ICC World Test Championship is the ultimate in the Test format. I understand this cycle is likely to prove too great a task as we would need to win a lot of matches in a short space of time to have any chance of making the final, but aspiring to be in that final, and to winning it, has to be a medium- to long-term goal for us.

"Ultimately, it is all about playing the style of cricket we want to play, one that helps us win matches, excites the public and puts smiles on the faces of everyone connected with Pakistan cricket."

Babar Azam's men recently drew the five-game T20I series against New Zealand on home soil.