This time, the Australian former pacer will be working in the PSL.
Jason Gillespie hasn’t had the smoothest relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Yet, he is set to return to the country’s cricket scene. The Australian ex-pacer has been appointed as the head coach of one of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) new franchises, Hyderabad.
The Kingsmen Cricket, part of Hyderabad’s ownership group, confirmed the appointment on Wednesday. Gillespie, speaking to cricket website ESPNcricinfo, expressed his excitement about returning to Pakistan in this new role.
PSL is moving away from the draft system this time and will use an auction-based approach. Gillespie’s name will feature on Hyderabad’s list in the first auction of Pakistan’s franchise tournament, scheduled for February 11.
Gillespie, who represented Australia for over a decade, was appointed as Pakistan’s Test team coach in April 2024 on a two-year contract. However, due to inconsistent performances and internal challenges, he could not last even eight months.
This led to several disputes with the PCB. Gillespie also raised complaints about Pakistan cricket and demanded pending payments. The pacer played 71 Tests, 97 ODIs, and one T20I for Australia.
Despite all the controversies, Gillespie has often spoken about Pakistan cricket. Now, he is set to return to the country in a new capacity.
Another PSL team, Islamabad United, has also appointed a coach ahead of the new season. They have handed the role to former New Zealand and Australian cricketer Luke Ronchi.
Ronchi played three PSL seasons for Islamabad United and contributed to the team’s title win in 2018. In the competition, he scored 1,020 runs in 31 matches with ten fifties. Among batsmen with over 1,000 PSL runs, his strike rate of 166.12 is the highest.
