Resignation Shock Pakistan Cricket: Gillespie Leaves After Mixed Results
Jason Gillespie has resigned as the coach of the Pakistan Test team. He communicated his decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (December 12), hours before the team was scheduled to depart for South Africa for a crucial two-Test series, leaving the board scrambling to find an immediate replacement.
This was officially confirmed to Deltin7777news by the PCB through their spokesperson. “He has resigned,” a spokesman for the Pakistan Board said without providing further details about the circumstances surrounding the sudden departure. Gillespie’s exit was largely anticipated, especially after the PCB’s controversial decision to not renew the contract of his trusted assistant coach Tim Nielsen. Sources close to the situation revealed that both Gillespie and Nielsen had developed an excellent working relationship during their tenure, with their coaching philosophies aligning perfectly for the benefit of the Pakistan Test team.
Late on Thursday night, the PCB announced that former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed will assume the role of red-ball coach on an interim basis. Aaqib, who had previously been appointed as the interim head coach of the white-ball team following Gary Kirsten’s resignation, is currently in South Africa with the Pakistan limited-overs squad for their ongoing series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs.
“The PCB has named Aaqib Javed as interim red-ball head coach following the resignation of red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie,” the Pakistan Board stated in their official communication, emphasizing the immediate nature of the appointment to ensure continuity in team preparation.
Aaqib’s first challenge as red-ball head coach will be to guide Pakistan through their important two-match Test series against South Africa. The opening Test is scheduled to take place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26 to 30, followed by the second Test at the historic Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from January 3 to 7, presenting a significant challenge for both the team and the new coach.
These developments have emerged at a particularly turbulent time when Pakistan cricket finds itself in the spotlight for various controversial reasons. The PCB is currently embroiled in a complex and prolonged dispute with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the Champions Trophy controversy, with negotiations showing no signs of reaching a resolution in the immediate future.
In the midst of this ongoing Champions Trophy diplomatic crisis, the PCB now faces an unexpected coaching crisis that requires immediate attention. Gillespie, a highly respected former Australian fast bowler with an impressive coaching record, was reportedly dissatisfied with several recent administrative decisions made by the PCB. The situation regarding Nielsen’s contract non-renewal proved to be the final breaking point in what had become an increasingly strained relationship between the coach and the board.
Gillespie, who was initially signed by the PCB earlier this year on a two-year contract specifically for the red-ball team, has been expressing his discontent with the board’s management style for several months. Sources indicate that his frustration stemmed primarily from being excluded from crucial decision-making processes during the recent home series against England. This lack of involvement in key team matters, combined with the board’s unilateral decisions affecting his support staff, ultimately led to his decision to step down from the position. The timing of his resignation, just before an important away series, highlights the severity of the underlying issues between the coach and the cricket board’s administration.
The Gillespie affair follows closely on the heels of Gary Kirsten’s departure as the white-ball coach, creating a concerning pattern in Pakistan cricket’s coaching landscape. Both Kirsten and Gillespie were recruited in April 2023 as part of PCB’s ambitious coaching restructure, but Kirsten’s tenure concluded abruptly in October when the South African decided to part ways with the team. The fact that two highly respected international coaches couldn’t complete even six months in their respective roles raises serious questions about the working environment and administrative structure within Pakistan cricket. This double departure within such a short span could potentially create significant challenges for the PCB in their future endeavors to attract top-tier foreign coaching talent.
During his brief tenure, Gillespie oversaw several crucial series for Pakistan. His first assignment was the home Test series against Bangladesh, which unfortunately ended in a disappointing 0-2 defeat for the hosts. However, he demonstrated his coaching prowess when Pakistan secured a memorable 2-1 victory against England, showcasing remarkable resilience by bouncing back after losing the opening Test. Following Kirsten’s resignation, Gillespie also stepped in to assist the white-ball team during their Australian tour in November. While the team achieved success in the ODI series with a 2-1 victory, they faced a challenging period in the T20I format, suffering a comprehensive clean sweep at the hands of the Australian team.
