5 Pakistan cricket coaches who resigned prematurely ft. Gary Kirsten

As unpredictable and mercurial as Pakistan is on the cricket field, it is nowhere near the same as those off the field with personnel changes. Fans are often subjected to guesswork on head coaches in Pakistan Cricket and the merry-go-round surrounding the same.

With an average of almost a head coach per year for the last three decades, Pakistan's volatility has gone from being a surprise to commonplace. The lack of consistency, sustenance, and continuity among coaches has resulted in the side hitting only a few highs amidst a plethora of lows since the turn of the century.

While several Pakistan head coaches have been sacked due to a variety of issues, some have walked away themselves in short order over the years.

On that note, let us look at five Pakistan head coaches who stepped down prematurely.

#1 Gary Kirsten

The latest debacle to hit Pakistan cricket came in the form of Gary Kirsten resigning as their white-ball head coach. The former South African better was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in only April on a two-year contract.

However, Kirsten's resignation just before the important white-ball tour of Australia was stunning even by Pakistan's turnover standards. It was reported earlier today (October 28) on ESPN Cricinfo that there were rifts between Kirsten and the PCB, resulting in the former's resignation.

PCB's decision to strip their head coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie (Tests) from powers in team selection is believed to have played a major role in this development.

The news came immediately after the board decided to appoint veteran wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan as their limited-overs captain.

Meanwhile, Gillespie has been confirmed by the board as the fill-in head coach for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia in place of Kirsten.

#2 Javed Miandad

One of Pakistan's greatest batting legends Javed Miandad endured an unceremonious and stunning ending to his first tenure as head coach. Having been appointed in September 1998 until the 1999 ODI World Cup in June, Miandad resigned from the role a week before the marquee tournament.

While there were rumblings of deteriorating relationships with the players, Miandad confirmed that his resignation was solely based on 'pressing family commitments'.

His resignation letter read:

"Due to pressing family commitments, I would not be in a position to continue my assignment as a coach of the Pakistan cricket team. It is therefore, with regret, that I tender my resignation with immediate effect. I take this opportunity to thank you (PCB chairman) for your help, guidance and support during my tenure as coach. I wish the team good luck in the World Cup and hope and pray that the Cup returns to Pakistan."

Despite the sudden turn of events, Pakistan, led by Wasim Akram, impressed during the 1999 World Cup, finishing as runners-up.

Miandad also had two other stints as Pakistan head coach in 2000-2001 and 2003-2004.

#3 Waqar Younis

Another Pakistan legend Waqar Younis ended his head coaching tenure prematurely in 2011. Having taken over as coach in March 2011, Younis resigned in August 2011, citing personal reasons - mainly his and wife's health.

"I have tendered my resignation to the [Pakistan Cricket] board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last. I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone and my resignation has been accepted by the board. Had everything in my personal life -- that is, my wife's health and my own -- been all right, I would not have taken this decision," said Younis in a press conference.

Younis' tenure involved several turbulence, including the spot-fixing controversy during the England tour in 2010 and differences with the then-limited overs skipper Shahid Afridi just before his resignation.

#4 Intikhab Alam

Former spin-bowling all-rounder Intikhab Alam's resignation in early 2000 remains among the ugly turn of events in Pakistan cricket.

Having taken over as head coach only in December 1999, Alam decided to step down from the role in the middle of a home Test series against Sri Lanka in March 2000. Alam's move was in protest to the PCB announcing Javed Miandad as the next head coach while the Sri Lanka series was still ongoing.

A furious Alam told reporters in the middle of the second Test:

"I will not be the coach in the third cricket Test starting in Karachi from March 12. No matter what the general says, my stand is firm and I have decided not to coach the team in the Karachi Test. However, I will resign after expressing my grievances to the PCB chairman in a dignified manner."

Intikhab Alam was Pakistan's head coach in 1995 also for another short stint and later played the role from 2008 to 2010.

#5 Mushtaq Mohammad

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mushtaq Mohammad was another cricketer-turned-head coach of the side who stepped down from his role much before the completion of his contract.

Mohammad terminated his three-year contract after only a year due to issues related to his pay.

As Pakistan was playing a four-nation Independence Cup in 1997, he said:

"This is my last assignment. After all, $1,000 a month is not very attractive money. I am satisfied with my work over the past year because Pakistan have done very well. But you also need money to support your family and yourself."

Despite the premature ending in his first stint as Pakistan's head coach, Mohammad played the role again for a short duration in 1999.