Gary Kirsten joins Namibia as consultant ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten has been roped in by Cricket Namibia as a consultant ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He will coach alongside head coach Craig Williams.

Kirsten's last coaching assignment with an international team was as head coach of Pakistan. It was a controversial stint for him as Kirsten was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April but put in his papers in October amid a power crisis between members of the board.

Kirsten praised Cricket Namibia for being committed to building a high-performance environment. He also expressed positivity over the kind of results the team has been generating, adding that he is eager to play a role in their preparations for the T20 World Cup next year.

"It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment. Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world. Their senior men's national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year," stated Kirsten as per a statement put out by Cricket Namibia.

A statement added about that Kirsten's expertise will serve as well for the men's team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup.

"Kirsten's appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia's commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure. His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men's national team] setup," the released added.

Namibia have previously contested in three editions of the 20-over tournament. They have been grouped with hosts India, Pakistan, Netherlands and USA in Group A for the 2026 edition.