Pakistan didn’t earn the nickname “Unpredictable” for nothing. The state of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) mirrors the team’s on-field performances — coaches come and go, and captaincy changes happen just as regularly. Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie has now taken aim at a PCB selector.
Nearly two years after his stint with Pakistan ended, Gillespie still can’t seem to let it go. Despite having a two-year contract with the PCB, his tenure ended after just eight months. He became Pakistan’s red-ball coach in April 2024 and resigned in December that same year. Around the same time (April 2024), Gary Kirsten was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball coach, and he too resigned after just six months in charge.
Pakistan’s team is now in turmoil after losing the series to England following defeats in the Headingley and Lord’s Tests. Misbah-ul-Haq resigned as selector, and Aaqib Javed has since taken over selection duties. Speaking to Australian newspaper The Australian, Gillespie said: “Aaqib Javed recently came out and blamed former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and me for Pakistan’s current situation. Aaqib has been chief selector for the past two years. Yet we weren’t even there.”
Gillespie could make no sense of blame being placed on him and Kirsten for Pakistan’s poor form. Pointing the finger back at Aaqib, Gillespie told Australian media: “Yet somehow he’s saying we [Gillespie and Kirsten] are responsible for everything. Does that make any sense? I think Aaqib Javed should take a look in the mirror.”
Pakistan lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, then lost the second Test by 194 runs. After the back-to-back defeats, Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace bowling coach Umar Gul were removed. Seven players from the squad touring England were also sent home. Among those seven were Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan. Five players were added to the squad for the third Test at Edgbaston.
Gillespie said he feels for the seven players dropped after the Lord’s Test. The former Australian pacer said: “I feel bad for the players. This is their livelihood. From the outside, it looks like they’re playing with fear. It’s clear they have no coherent selection strategy, especially under Aaqib Javed.”
Salman had been made captain for the first Test after Babar was unavailable to play. When Babar returned as captain for the second Test, Salman was dropped from the XI, and was later sent home entirely. Gillespie said: “Salman Ali Agha captained the side in the first Test against England. Then he was dropped from the squad for the second Test. And before the third Test, he was sent home. How is that possible? There’s clearly a communication gap between chief selector Aaqib Javed and the players. That much is obvious.”
After the loss at Lord’s following Headingley, Pakistan now have more Test losses than wins overall. Since 1952, in 473 Tests, they have won 153, lost 154 and drawn 166. Mike Hesson will take charge as Pakistan’s red-ball coach for the Edgbaston Test, with Ashley Noffke serving as pace bowling coach. The third Test of the Pakistan-England series begins at Edgbaston on Sept. 9.