In a surprising turn of events in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), again one of the reputed people in World Cricket: Jason Gillespie has handed over his resignation from Pakistan’s Head coach post of the Test team. Gary Kirsten, the white ball head coach, parted ways with the board in October 2024 before the Australia white ball leg tour.
PCB has been going through a massive revamp, since 2020; we have witnessed multiple chairpersons being changed as well as the selection committee which hampers the team’s performance. Pakistani fans would be shell-shocked given how the board has been functioning as players don’t have any assurance that their place is fixed in the side even after performing exceedingly well.
PCB name a new red ball head coach after Jason Gillespie resignation
The newly appointed selection committee where Aaqib Javed was one of the members was given the responsibility of being the white ball head coach till ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It’s quite baffling to see how a selector has become head coach and now PCB has given Aaqib Javed the reins to coach the red ball team as well and the Test series against South Africa is set to commence from 26th December.
“The PCB has named Aaqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach following the resignation of red-ball head-coach Jason Gillespie,” PCB said in a statement.
Uncertainty in PCB
Jason Gillespie had signed a two year contract with PCB this year. Under his tenure, Pakistan lost the Test series against Bangladesh by 2-0 and after the opening Test match defeat against England, Gillespie had stated that he didn’t have any say in playing 11 of the team as new selection panel had all authority. Jason Gillespie even stated to the media, that he is now ‘Match day strategist’. Pakistan though won the Test series against England by 2-1 but hardly anyone gave him credit for a turnaround.
Jason Gillespie was the interim white head ball coach for Australia series. Pakistan had won the ODI series in Australia after 22 years by 2-1 which was incredible. Gillespie was even asked by media, will he take white ball head coach post as well and he clearly said he wants to be present for red ball format only.
This could have frustrated Jason Gillespie when PCB didn’t renew the high performance red ball coach Tim Nielsen’s contract. We often have seen in world cricket, that head coaches want their support staff which assists them to work better for the team. Jason Gillespie’s exit perhaps now means that overseas coaches will think ‘n’ times before applying as head coach for Pakistan cricket team.
In all this chaos, now the attention will be on Aaqib Javed who may be a head coach on an interim basis but now has supreme power over the team. There were huge hopes for Jason Gillespie & Gary Kirsten to bring back glory to Pakistan cricket but the onus now is on Aaqib Javed to create a legacy. Pakistan was heavily criticized for losing the 1st T20I match against South Africa and the 2nd T20I match on 13th December, the team needs to up the ante.