Pakistan’s cricket staff skipper Babar Azam addresses a press convention forward of the T20 collection towards Ireland, England and the T20 World Cup, in Lahore, Pakistan, on May 6, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Pakistan restricted overs skipper Babar Azam is optimistic that Gary Kirsten’s appointment as head coach of Pakistan’s white ball facet will definitely enhance its efficiency.
The South African was roped in because the staff’s restricted overs head coach final month on a two-year contract, and this might be his third outing as a global coach, having guided India (2008-11) and South Africa (2011-13).
“He (Kirsten) is a very experienced coach, and his presence should be beneficial for us all. He is already taking a lot of interest in the planning for the World Cup and discussing strategy with the team management,” Babar instructed a media convention in Lahore on Monday.
Babar mentioned Kirsten was in contact with the facet each day, receiving experiences about what they have been doing and the way they have been planning issues.
“He (Kirsten) shares his plans with us, discussions are happening with coaches about our planning, and we update him on net practice plans, like how the bowling practice went today,” he mentioned.
Babar mentioned there was already regular line of communication between him and Kirsten and he’s trying ahead to his arrival.
The Pakistan skipper additionally dismissed considerations over some picks because the squad leaves for Ireland.
Pakistani selectors will finalise the ultimate 15-member squad for the worldwide event from the identical 18 gamers primarily based on the shape and health of gamers in Ireland and England. Kirsten is anticipated to be part of the staff in England.
“There is no issue about the top order as to who will open from amongst me, Rizwan, Saim or Fakhar. All decisions will be based on keeping in mind the team’s interests. There is no confusion there,” Babar mentioned.
He clarified that younger and new gamers like Ayub, Azam, Irfan Khan and Usman Khan would require time to cool down in worldwide cricket, and the administration would again them fully in the lead-up to the World Cup.
“I think there is little time for rotation now because the World Cup is around the corner, and in the remaining matches. We will try to give the team we want to play with in the World Cup a proper opportunity,” Babar continued.
“We will sort out whatever our bowling and batting combination is, and we have almost done that. We will play with our best possible XI in the remaining matches.”
Will plan towards Kohli
Asked if Pakistan was particularly strategizing to cease India’s in-form batter Virat Kohli from scoring towards them, Babar mentioned that as a staff, one at all times checked out the most effective gamers in an opposing staff because the intention was to win towards eleven gamers.
“The thing is, we plan against all eleven players of a team, and we don’t know much about how the conditions will be in New York. But yes, he [Kohli] is one of the best players, and we will plan against him as well,” Babar mentioned.
No rifts in staff
Babar additionally made it clear there have been no inner rifts in the staff over the captaincy situation, and he was additionally enthusiastic about his second stint as Pakistan captain.
“Whatever success I achieved previously as captain was because of the players who supported me, and the same is true now. Important is the board is backing us completely to do well,” he concluded.
