Jason Gillespie has resigned as Pakistan’s Test cricket coach, claiming he was undermined by interim coach Aaqib Javed, whom he criticized on social media. Gillespie’s departure follows a poor performance, marking him as the second foreign coach to exit in a short time. Meanwhile, Aaqib acknowledges that frequent changes have negatively impacted the team’s success.
Jason Gillespie, the former Pakistan Test cricket coach, asserts that he faced undermining prior to his resignation in December, characterizing interim coach Aaqib Javed as a “clown” in a recent social media post. Gillespie, who has an illustrious career as an Australian fast bowler, commenced his coaching role in April but departed the position less than eight months later due to a lackluster start. Notably, he was the second foreign coach to exit the program within a short span following Gary Kirsten’s departure in October.
Aaqib Javed, who is also the national selector, acknowledged the recent challenges faced by the team, particularly after their inability to progress in the Champions Trophy. He emphasized during a press conference that the frequent changes in coaching staff, which included the replacement of 16 coaches and 26 selectors in merely two years, have adversely affected the team’s performance. He remarked that such instability undermines progress and urged for consistency from leadership to ensure the team’s development.
In response to Aaqib’s statements about the lack of stability, Gillespie took to Instagram, labeling Aaqib’s comments as “hilarious.” He contended that Aaqib had been undermining both him and Gary Kirsten, expressing discontent with Aaqib’s ambition to assume control over all coaching formats. Following Kirsten’s exit, Aaqib temporarily took over the Test team, and while his contract was initially set to conclude after the Champions Trophy, he is expected to continue in his role as the Pakistan Cricket Board seeks a permanent replacement.
In summary, Jason Gillespie’s comments reveal serious allegations of undermining within Pakistan’s cricket coaching framework, particularly concerning Aaqib Javed’s influence. The instability caused by frequent coaching changes has been cited as a significant factor in the team’s poor performance. Gillespie’s departure further underscores the challenges faced by the Pakistan cricket management as they strive for consistency and success in the forthcoming future.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
