Strategic Talks Underway: Gary Kirsten Takes the Lead
To boost Pakistan’s white-ball cricket performance ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, head coach Gary Kirsten has initiated a series of consultations and strategic planning sessions. Currently in Faisalabad, he met with mentors and head coaches from the Champions Cup teams to discuss potential improvements and refine the team’s strategy. High-performance specialist David Reid and Director of High Performance and the Champions Cup, Nadeem Khan, also participated in the discussions.
Prominent figures like Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed contributed valuable insights on player selection, addressing weaknesses, team planning, and other critical areas based on their extensive experience.
Kirsten highlighted the importance of mental resilience and encouraged the mentors and head coaches to share their experiences with players to help elevate their performance. He underscored the necessity for collaboration and the exchange of information among coaches.
“Individuals can win matches, but series and titles are won through teamwork,” Kirsten stated.
He committed to staying in Faisalabad throughout the Champions Cup, attending all matches to evaluate player performances. His observations will help compile a list of potential players for future selections, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s white-ball cricket squad for the tournament.
With a busy schedule from November 2024 to April 2025, including T20 Internationals and One Day Internationals against Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, Pakistan has a prime opportunity to refine their skills before hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in February/March 2025.
Additionally, the team will participate in a tri-nation ODI series with New Zealand and South Africa leading up to the prestigious tournament.
ICC Delegation Arrives in Pakistan
The International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation has arrived in Pakistan to evaluate preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Touching down in Karachi from Dubai, the delegation will conduct a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the tournament.
During the first phase of their visit, they will inspect the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, examining ongoing construction and renovations, as well as assessing the facilities available. PCB officials will brief the ICC members on various administrative aspects, while security officials will outline safety measures.
Following their Karachi inspection, the delegation will travel to Lahore and Rawalpindi to review stadium construction progress in those cities. This marks the fourth ICC delegation to visit Pakistan, with prior visits focused on security, event management, and pitch consultancy.
The five-member ICC delegation includes a Senior Events Manager, an Events Manager, a Security Manager, the General Manager of Cricket, and a Production Manager. Their itinerary includes visits to Rawalpindi on Thursday and Lahore on Friday, with plans to depart for Dubai the next day.
Notable ICC officials who have previously visited Pakistan include former Security Manager David McCrae, Head of Events Chris Tetley, and ICC Pitch Consultant Andy Atkinson. The current delegation consists of Sarah Edgar (Senior Manager of Events), Aun Muhammad Zaidi (Event Manager), Wasim Khan (GM of Cricket), David Musgrave (Security Manager), and Mansoor Manj (ICC Broadcast Consultant).
