Gillespie was initially announced as the head coach of the Pakistan red-ball team, but was later named interim coach of the white-ball team after Gary Kirsten left his job.
The turmoil in Pakistan Cricket’s coaching department continues as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to remove Jason Gillespie from the head coach’s position following the end of the ongoing T20I series against Australia Down Under. The announcement could come as early as Monday (November 18).
Gillespie was initially announced as the head coach of the Pakistan red-ball team, but was later named interim coach of the white-ball team after Gary Kirsten left his job. However, the PCB wanted him to take full-time charge of the white-ball team without any contract changes, which did not mean any increase in salary.
However, Gillespie rejected that offer, so the PCB decided not to pursue him in red-ball cricket either. According to ESPNcricinfo, the decision to terminate Gillespie’s contract is because he did not spend enough time in Pakistan.
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However, Gillespie feels he spent all the time mentioned in the contract supervising Shaheen’s tour of Darwin without receiving additional pay. Under him, Pakistan made a miraculous comeback in the England series after losing the first game at home and winning the next two before clinching the ODI series 2-1 in Australia, but lost the Bangladesh Test series 2- 0.
Aaqib Javed to replace Jason Gillespie as head coach across formats
Aaqib Javed, recently appointed coordinator of Pakistan men’s cricket team selection committee, will take over as head coach in all formats. He was not PCB’s first choice for this position, as PCB wanted Gillespie to continue until the Champions Trophy next year.
PCB wanted to re-appoint Azhar Mahmood or Saqlain Mushtaq as Pakistan coach for 2021-22. However, both did not have enough support from the PCB advisory circle, so Aaqib was finalized after discussions.
Aaqib was previously head coach and director of cricket operations of Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, where he led them to back-to-back titles. After being included in Pakistan’s selection committee, Aaqib was allegedly responsible for the spin-friendly leads against England.
He was also Sri Lanka’s bowling coach earlier this year. His stint as head coach will begin with the ODI series against Zimbabwe at the end of the month.
However, PCB has refuted claims regarding Jason Gillespie’s replacement. They added that it will continue in the red-ball series against South Africa.
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