Gary Kirsten to lead Sri Lanka to 2027 ODI World Cup

[p]Kirsten, 58, previously ‌guided [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/india/fcOzl2uI/"]India[/a] to the 2011 World ‌Cup title and later coached [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-africa/tUhlKzIm/"]South Africa[/a] from 2011 to 2013. He ‌also briefly served as Pakistan's ⁠white-ball coach ‌in 2024, resigning six months into the ​job.[/p][p]He replaces [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jayasuriya-sanath/v9Fw5W73/"]Sanath Jayasuriya[/a], who stepped down after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sri-lanka/zahH5UHg/"]Sri Lanka[/a]'s ​disappointing campaign at the recent Twenty20 World Cup.[/p][p]"[b]Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to ⁠announce the ​appointment of former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the national men's team, ‌effective from April 15, 2026,[/b]" they said in a statement.[/p][p]"[b]The appointment of the new head coach is part of Sri Lanka Cricket's efforts to revamp the structure of the National High Performance Center.[/b]"[/p][p]The 2027 World Cup will be hosted by South ‌Africa, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/zimbabwe/pCUnmKBm/"]Zimbabwe[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/namibia/8hqsGqUb/"]Namibia[/a].[/p][p]South Africa ​and Zimbabwe will qualify automatically for ‌the tournament as hosts. Namibia, despite co-hosting, will have to go through the regular qualification pathway because they are not a full ⁠International Cricket ⁠Council member.[/p]