Head coach Gary Kirsten blames lack of unity, fitness and skillset for Pakistan’s T20 WC debacle

Head coach Gary Kirsten reportedly blamed Pakistan players fitness and poor skillset for their dismal show in the T20 World Cup 2024. Kirsten also said there was no unity in the squad during the tournament.

Gary Kirsten launched scathing criticism of Pakistan after their T20 World Cup debacle. (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten reportedly launched a scathing criticism of the Babar Azam-led side after their disappointing show in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Kirsten not only questioned the fitness standards and the skillset of the Pakistan players but also said that there is no unity in the squad and that he has never come across such a situation in his coaching career before.

Kirsten criticism comes after Pakistan were eliminated from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 following two straight defeats in their first two matches. Pakistan suffered a shock defeat against USA in their opening game of the tournament after going down in a Super Over following a 6-run defeat against arch-rivals India in a low-scoring thriller.

Babar & Co. did manage to bounce back with back-to-back wins against Canada and Ireland in their final two group-stage matches but 4 points were not enough to earn them a spot in the Super 8. As per reports in Pakistan media, Kirsten didn’t mince his words in his review of the team’s performance after their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign ended with a nervy 3-wicket win against Ireland on Sunday.

Kirsten said the players in the Pakistan team don’t act as a team and that there is no unity among them whatsoever. He said no one supports each other in the squad and that he has not come across such a situation in his career before.

“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 in Pakistan media, quoted by PTI.

Kirsten questions fitness and skillset of Pakistan players

Kirsten also questioned the fitness levels and the overall skillset of the Pakistan players while criticising their poor decision-making. The former South Africa opener, who guided India to the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, said Pakistan are far behind the rest of the world when it comes to the skillset required to excel in modern-day cricket.

He said the fitness levels of some players are not up to the mark and also said the players don’t know what shot to play in what situation despite having played extensive cricket in their respective careers. Kirsten had earlier questioned Pakistan’s mindset after their close defeat against India in the high-profile clash in New York where Babar & Co. failed to chase down the target of 120 runs.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly planning an extensive review of the team’s poor show in the T20 World Cup 2024 and some major changes are expected in the squad. Babar’s captaincy is also under the radar and he might face the axe soon.