Following Pakistan’s defeat to India in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 match held in New York on Sunday, newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten shared his perspective with the media. Kirsten, who recently assumed his role with the team, discussed his initial observations on the team’s performance and the challenges they encountered.
“In my short time here, I’m still in the process of assessing the environment and identifying any issues. Having watched these players on TV for many years, I’ve come to know them as fantastic individuals. They’re representing their country with pride, and there’s evident disappointment in the dressing room,” Kirsten remarked.
The former cricketer stressed the importance of continuous growth and adaptation in international cricket, stating, “For every international player, ongoing development and understanding the evolving demands of the game are paramount. Cricket evolves yearly, so failure to improve will eventually be exposed.”
Kirsten also offered insights on the New York pitch, which has faced criticism throughout the tournament. “The pitch generally played low, making it challenging for both batting sides to score. Additionally, the outfield was sluggish, indicating it wouldn’t be a high-scoring encounter,” he observed.
Reflecting on the match’s dynamics, Kirsten suggested, “I believe a total of around 140 would have been competitive here. India fell short of that mark, giving us a chance. We anticipated a closely contested match. Sometimes, witnessing tight games like these can be quite enjoyable. It’s not always about posting massive scores.”
With the loss to India behind them, Pakistan now looks to secure their first points as they prepare to face Canada on Tuesday in New York. The upcoming Group A clash between Pakistan and Canada is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, in New York.
