Namibia have made a major move in their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations, bringing in former South Africa opener and renowned coach Gary Kirsten as a consultant. Cricket Namibia confirmed the development on Friday, calling it a “significant step” toward strengthening their high-performance structure ahead of the global event in February next year.
Kirsten, one of the most respected minds in contemporary cricket, carries a coaching résumé that very few can match. The veteran has previously served as head coach of India, guiding them to the historic 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup title, before taking charge of South Africa and, most recently, Pakistan. His coaching footprint also extends deep into franchise cricket, with several stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Before his coaching era began, Kirsten enjoyed a prolific international career. He scored 7289 Test runs and 6798 ODI runs, featuring in 101 Tests and 185 ODIs — numbers that reflect his consistency and class over more than a decade.
‘A privilege to work with Cricket Namibia’ – Kirsten
Reacting to his appointment, Kirsten expressed admiration for Namibia’s ambition and professionalism.
“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,” Kirsten said in a statement.
He also praised Namibia’s rapid development and the investment the board is making into infrastructure.
“Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to competing with the best cricket countries in the world. The senior men’s side is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup next year.”
Kirsten will work closely with head coach Craig Williams, giving strategic input as Namibia aim to sharpen their squad ahead of a highly competitive tournament.
A Timely Boost for Namibia
Namibia have been steadily climbing the T20I ladder and have earned respect for their grit and structure in global events. Having a world-class coaching mind like Kirsten on board adds experience, depth, and clarity to their World Cup campaign.
With only a few months to go before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, this move signals Namibia’s intent to surprise a few big teams on the world stage.
