Former South African opener Gary Kirsten joined the Pakistan team as their new head coach in Leeds ahead of the crucial four-match T20 series in England.
Kirsten, 56, was last month appointed as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan team, with Australian Jason Gillespie the red-ball head coach.
Pakistan are scheduled to play four T20s against England, beginning at Headingley on Wednesday, to prepare for the T20 World Cup next month in the Caribbean and the US.
The team in green have delayed naming the final 15-man squad for the World Cup until the first T20.
But the side is in good hands as Kirsten is a proven performer. It was under his management that India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He is the mentor and batting coach of Gujarat Titans who won the IPL title in their first attempt in 2022 and came agonisingly close to defending it the next year. However this year, Gujarat were knocked out of play-off contention on Monday.
Apart from next month’s T20 World Cup, Kirsten is set to guide the team during the home Champions Trophy in 2025, the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the T20 Asia Cup next year.
Kirsten said he was looking forward to working with a talented group that went all the way to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
“I'm truly excited to embark on this new journey with the Pakistan men’s cricket team. It's an honour to coach such a talented and dynamic team, and I’m eager to contribute to their success on the international stage," Kirsten told Pakistan Cricket Board's website.
“However, success will require collective effort, meticulous planning and unwavering support for one another. With 19 other teams vying for the title, we must consistently outperform our rivals to realise our aspirations."
Kirsten played 101 Test matches and 185 ODIs for South Africa, scoring 14,087 runs with 34 centuries. He played in three World Cups between 1996-2003 before coaching the World Cup winning India team in 2011.
Kirsten also coached the South Africa team from 2011-13 and led them to the No 1 position in the ICC's Test rankings.
He has also managed several IPL franchises including Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals.
Meanwhile, former Aussie quick Gillespie will take charge of Pakistan’s red-ball team in August when they will play home matches for the World Test Championship against Bangladesh. The series will be followed by Tests against England in October before the team tours South Africa in December.
Pakistan will have their work cut out against world champions England after they were handed a huge scare in the preceding series against Ireland.
There, Pakistan had to rally after losing the opening match, winning the series 2-1 following a six-wicket win chasing 179 in Dublin.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
