Jason Gillespie, formerly Pakistan’s test cricket coach, has shared that his resignation in December was due to feeling undermined in his role. In a recent social media outburst, he labeled interim head coach Aaqib Javed as a “clown.” Gillespie, who played as a fast bowler for Australia in 71 tests and 97 one-day internationals during his career from 1996 to 2006, transitioned into coaching post-retirement. He accepted the position of Pakistan’s test coach in April for a two-year term but decided to resign less than eight months later, citing a rocky start.
His departure marked the second consecutive exit of a foreign coach in Pakistan’s cricket history within a short span, as South African coach Gary Kirsten had vacated his position as the limited-overs coach in October. Nationally, Aaqib Javed, serving as Pakistan’s selector and interim head coach, admitted following Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy without reaching the knockout stage, attributed to defeats by New Zealand and India, that frequent changes in coaching staff had negatively impacted the team.
During a news conference announcing another set of changes to Pakistan’s limited-overs squads, Aaqib stated, “We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years or so. You put that formula on any team in the world, and I think they will also be in the same situation. Until you get consistency right from the top down to the bottom, from the chairman down, then your team will not progress.” This acknowledgment of continuous alterations was met with Gillespie’s criticism via an Instagram story, where he mockingly referred to the comments as “hilarious.”
Gillespie claimed Aaqib was covertly undermining both Gary Kirsten and himself, seeking to secure the position of coach across all formats. Meanwhile, Aaqib, a former player for Pakistan, had assumed the interim coaching role for the limited-overs teams following Kirsten’s departure. He then took charge of the test squad after Gillespie’s exit. Despite the initial agreement for Aaqib’s contract to last until the Champions Trophy, he is expected to remain in the position while the Pakistan Cricket Board continues its search for a permanent coach.
