Gary Kirsten has already set a record as the first coach to manage both India and Pakistan. Thirteen years ago, he led India to a World Cup victory, and now, he faces the challenge of steering Pakistan through a turbulent T20 World Cup campaign.
Source : TOI
When asked if the atmosphere feels different coaching Pakistan, Kirsten smiled and said, “I have been in charge for 13 days, but the frenzy seems the same from both sides. It’s great to be associated with both these teams.” Having been the Gujarat Titans batting coach in the IPL, Kirsten is well-acquainted with the Indian cricket scene. However, he remains uncertain if this knowledge offers Pakistan any significant advantage. “I think these players have seen enough of each other and it is a matter of getting their games right,” he remarked.
Source:- BBC news
Reflecting on India’s memorable win against Pakistan in the 2011 ODI World Cup semifinal in Mohali, Kirsten noted that the fan enthusiasm is similar, albeit the current venue brings a different vibe. “It’s a new venue. It does feel good when people come out to support us here,” he said
Kirsten emphasized the importance of moving past recent setbacks, particularly Pakistan’s loss to the USA in a Super Over in Dallas, which now places them in a must-win situation. “It’s never nice not to win a game. I don’t think I need to motivate this team for a game as big as this. Yes, we need individuals to come up with performances, but we are going to treat it as any other game. What happened two days ago is forgotten. We’ve to move on,” he asserted.
Drawing from the previous T20 World Cup, where Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe but reached the final, Kirsten stressed the importance of focusing on the present. “I don’t like to hop on history, rather we try to play the best cricket we can. With our skill sets, we can put pressure on the opposition,” he concluded.
Gary Kirsten’s calm and focused approach will be crucial as Pakistan faces their next challenge, aiming to turn their fortunes around and progress further in the tournament
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