PCB Hires CSK Staff As Mental Performance Coach; Gary Kirsten Joins On May 19

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has enlisted the services of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) staff member David Reid as their mental performance coach ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Reid brings extensive experience, having worked with top Olympians, Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL), and Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Reid will join the Pakistan team for the four-match T20I series against England and the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the USA and the West Indies in June. He will be part of a robust support staff that includes Simon Helmut, who has been appointed as the new fielding coach.

"The appointments of Helmut and Reid were made on the recommendation of head coach Gary Kirsten, who will take charge of the team on May 19 in England," stated the PCB.

Aftab Khan, who has accompanied the Pakistan team to Ireland and England as fielding coach, will be re-designated as the high-performance coach once Helmut joins the team, according to the PCB.

"That's why we've brought on board David Reid, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience as a Qualified Mental Health Clinician," said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. "With his expertise in enhancing both functioning and performance, we are confident that our players will receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive both on and off the field," he added.

The PCB has confirmed that newly-appointed Pakistan white-ball coach Gary Kirsten will join the team on May 19, three days before their first T20I against England in Leeds on May 22. Pakistan is scheduled to play four T20Is before heading to the T20 World Cup 2024.

The 56-year-old Kirsten was confirmed as the white-ball head coach last month, alongside Jason Gillespie as the red-ball head coach. Apart from next month's T20 World Cup and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will also lead Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, and the T20 Asia Cup in 2025.

"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 said in a statement.

(With PTI Input)