New Coach Kirsten aims to reduce pressure on Babar

New Coach Kirsten aims to reduce pressure on Babar

By our correspondent

Newly appointed Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has outlined his plans to alleviate the immense pressure on skipper Babar Azam.

Kirsten, along with red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, was appointed by the PCB last month after a comprehensive search for a new coach.

Kirsten will officially assume his role later this month after fulfilling his IPL 2024 commitments. His primary objectives include guiding Pakistan to victory at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and establishing them as a dominant force in short-format cricket.

Both Kirsten and Gillespie have signed three-year contracts, potentially extending their tenure until the 2027 50-over World Cup.

In an interview, Kirsten acknowledged the immense pressure Babar faces to consistently perform and score runs.

He emphasized that a key focus will be to lessen this pressure, allowing Babar to play with greater freedom. Kirsten plans to instill the notion in Babar and the team that he is part of a collective unit, not the sole pillar of success.

By distributing the responsibility and expectations, Babar can be liberated to showcase his natural talent without undue stress.

Kirsten expressed his desire to foster a solid rapport with Babar Azam as captain. He highlighted the importance of collaboration amongst all players to achieve team success, aiming to make Pakistan a powerhouse in T20 cricket.

With Kirsten's arrival, there's a sense of optimism that he can steer Pakistan cricket back to its glory days. His focus on reducing pressure on Babar and promoting teamwork could be a game-changer for the national team.