If ESPNcricinfo’s report is accurate, a significant shake-up is on the horizon for Pakistan cricket. The cricket website reported on Sunday that Pakistan’s head coach Jason Gillespie is set to be removed. In his place, former pacer and current head of the selection committee, Aaqib Javed, will be appointed as the coach for all three formats.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the coaching change on Monday. Incidentally, that same day, Pakistan will play their final T20 against Australia on the ongoing tour, a series already clinched by Australia with a 2-0 lead.
The report mentioned that after Gary Kirsten stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball coach, the PCB initially considered appointing Jason Gillespie as a permanent coach for all three formats, at least until the Champions Trophy. However, it is believed that the PCB was unwilling to offer extra compensation for Gillespie’s additional responsibilities as red-ball coach. Consequently, Gillespie reportedly turned down the proposal, prompting the PCB to search for a new coach for all formats.
An insider from the PCB, however, offered a different perspective to ESPNcricinfo. The primary complaint against Gillespie was that he didn’t spend enough time in Pakistan.
After deciding to part ways with Gillespie, the PCB considered Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq as potential head coaches. However, neither candidate garnered sufficient support within the board. It was then that Aaqib Javed emerged as the preferred choice.
