Pakistan’s elimination in the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup has created a meltdown among several former cricketers and pundits. But nothing was as eye-opening as Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten’s revelation about the lack of unity within the current Pakistan unit. Led by Babar Azam – who regained the captaincy from Shaheen Afridi before the T20 World Cup – Pakistan slipped after defeats to USA and India. With rumors of groupism within the team and following the leak of Gary Kirsten’s outburst, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra made a witty comment on the situation.
“It worked like ghee on fire,” joked Aakash Chopra, talking about the fact that anything can get out in the Pakistani media and that it is very difficult to keep secrets after a bad tournament.
“Gary Kirsten probably said he didn’t say anything like that, but Pakistan cricket is like a filter. Whatever you put in it leaks out the other end,” Chopra said.
Kirsten – World Cup-winning coach with Pakistan’s arch-rivals India in 2011 – was quoted as saying that the lack of unity within the Pakistan team was something he had never seen the like of.
“There is no unity in the Pakistan team. They call it a team, but it is not a team. They do not support each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I have worked with many teams, but I have never seen such a situation,” he reportedly said. said Kirsten, in a Geo News leak.
Although Kirsten denies making these statements, the possibility that Kirsten’s complaints were leaked paints a poor picture of the Pakistani media at a time when the cricket team is struggling for support.
“When a private conversation inside a dressing room is leaked…it exposes internal insecurity,” renowned journalist Harsha Bhogle tweeted.
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh – part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad under Kirsten – has asked his former coach to return to the Men In Blue.
“Don’t waste your time there Gary, come back to coach team INDIA,” Harbhajan posted on X.
When a private conversation inside a dressing room is leaked, with some embellishments, I’m sure, it exposes internal insecurity. It will be a learning curve for Gary Kirsten, but he is a good man and Pakistan will do well to seek the benefits of his knowledge. When he was with…
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 17, 2024
Don’t waste your time there Gary.. Come back to Coach Team INDIA.. Gary Kirsten One of the rare ones.. A great coach, mentor, honest and a very dear friend to everyone on our 2011 team.. our world cup winning coach world 2011. Special man Gary @Gary_Kirsten https://t.co/q2vAZQbWC4
– Turbantor Harbhajan (@harbhajan_singh) June 17, 2024
India continue their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with their first Super 8 clash against Afghanistan on June 20.
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