Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali took a dig at former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie after his resignation as head coach of the Test team. Basit Ali stated that Jason Gillespie likely stepped down before the challenging South Africa series to avoid a tough assignment, describing it as strategically timed.
The 49-year-old has resigned as Pakistan’s head coach after seven months in the role. Jason Gillespie also served as the interim white-ball coach following Gary Kirsten’s resignation. His resignation comes just before the Pakistan team’s two-match Test series against South Africa, set to begin on December 26.
Jason Gillespie resigns as Pakistan red ball coach ahead of SA series
In a shocking development, Jason Gillespie has stepped down as the Test coach of the Pakistan cricket team. This comes just a month after Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten resigned in a similar fashion. Gillespie was appointed the head coach of the Pakistan red-ball team for a two-year period but he couldn’t even complete one full year.
Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan cricketer, has been appointed the interim head coach of the Test team. Earlier, he was appointed the head coach of the white-ball team as well after Gary Kirsten stepped down.
According to reports, Jason Gillespie’s resignation was prompted by a combination of factors, including a power struggle within the team’s selection committee and unmet demands regarding his role and compensation.
The troubles began when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to curtail the power of both the coach and captain in selection matters midway through the Pakistan vs England Test series. This move effectively removed Jason Gillespie from the selection committee, a decision that reportedly left him unhappy.
Furthermore, Jason Gillespie had expressed his desire to take on the role of all-format coach, which would have given him a more comprehensive and influential position within the team. However, this proposal was met with resistance from the PCB, which refused to grant him the expanded role.
Additionally, Jason Gillespie had requested a salary increase, which was also turned down by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The Australian coach had also expressed reluctance to spend more time in Pakistan, a demand made by the PCB.
According to reports, Jason Gillespie had threatened to resign if his demands were not met, and ultimately, he followed through on this threat. The PCB will now be tasked with finding a replacement for Gillespie, who had been in charge of the Test team since April 2024.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali opened up about Jason Gillespie’s resignation as Pakistan’s head coach. Basit highlighted that South Africa is a tough place to tour, especially for subcontinent teams.
Former Pakistan cricketer’s subtle dig after Jason Gillespie steps down as head coach ahead of SA 2024-25 tour
Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie has stepped down as Pakistan’s head coach just seven months after his appointment. He was initially named the team’s Test coach earlier this year but also briefly served as the Men in Green’s interim white-ball coach.
Gillespie’s resignation came ahead of Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against South Africa. Reacting to the 49-year-old’s exit, former Pakistani batter Basit Ali remarked that the ex-Australian cricketer was spot on with the timing of his departure.
Basit suggested that Gillespie decided to resign before the South Africa series and not after because it was a challenging assignment. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert remarked :
“He has made a very good decision not to go to South Africa. Why will he not go? Because South Africa isn’t an easy place. Keep everything in mind.”
In his video, Basit added that Gillespie benefited from his coaching stint with Pakistan as he was able to improve his resume, stating :
“Jason Gillespie wanted to make his CV, which he did. This was the best time for him to step down. Winning the series against England was a very big achievement. What happens in our country? People just make their CVs.”
It is worth mentioning that Jason Gillespie’s highlight from his tenure with Pakistan’s red-ball team was the side’s 2-1 Test series win at home against England earlier this year.
Basit Ali’s take on Pakistan’s over-dependence on overseas officials.
In the same video, Basit Ali was asked whether roping in a Pakistani coach would be the right move, given that favoritism has been a big concern. He sarcastically mentioned that a time would come when people would want a foreigner to be their Prime Minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
He said :
“Bring the chairman from outside too then. Does the chairman not appoint those whom he likes? In our country, the ones in charge of the State Bank also come from outside, right? One day, we will have to say that brother, bring the Prime Minister from outside too.”
Basit also reckoned that after parting ways with Pakistan, it won’t be a surprise if Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten get a lot of coaching offers from other teams, adding :
“When Mickey Arthur was removed, people said that perhaps there would be no foreign coaches in Pakistan. Now, when these two have stepped down, you will see that they will get offers from other countries and franchises. They might go to the IPL.”
Meanwhile, following Jason Gillespie’s exit, former Pakistani pacer Aaqib Javed has been named the side’s interim red-ball coach for the South Africa series.