Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten has claimed that there is no unity among the team’s players, as per the latest reports on social media. Kirsten’s shocking comments come after Pakistan was knocked out of the ongoing T20 World Cup after losing to the USA and arch-rivals India in the group stage.
The Babar Azam-led team failed to come up with a collective effort and could not deliver on the big stage. Many Pakistan experts have lashed at the team for their mundane performance in the World Cup and Babar Azam has been criticized for his captaincy.
“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 said as per reports of Geo TV.
The former South African opener had shared his disappointment after Pakistan could not cross the line against arch-rivals India despite restricting the opposition to 119.
“Disappointing loss, that’s for sure,” Kirsten had said. “I knew 120 was not going to be an easy target. If India got only 120, it was always going to be not the easiest. But I think we had the game at 72 for 2 with six or seven overs left. Disappointing not to get across the line from the position we got ourselves into.”
After Kirsten’s comments, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh urged the South African to return as India’s head coach.
“Don’t waste ur time there Gary.. Come back to Coach Team INDIA. Gary Kirsten One of the rare gems/ A great coach, mentor, friend to all in the 1202 team. Our winning coach of the 2011 World Cup. Special Man Gary @Gary_Kisten,” Harbhajan Singh said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Pakistan won their last T20 World Cup match against Ireland by three wickets after a fine spell of 3-22 from Shaheen Shah Afridi.